Duganne's Poetical Works Autograph edition. Seventy-five Copies |
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The Maiden of the Shield.
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 | Duganne's Poetical Works |  |
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The Maiden of the Shield.
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TO The Gentle Eva: (IN WHOSE PLEASANT COMPANY IT WAS WRIT,) This Ballad IS LOVINGLY INSCRIBED.
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1. PART FIRST.
Night hung darkly over the mountain, over the forest and the dale;
Dim and ghostly from the heavens look'd the moon so thin and pale—
Like the white face of a mourner from her thick and sable veil.
Dim and ghostly from the heavens look'd the moon so thin and pale—
Like the white face of a mourner from her thick and sable veil.
On the gray and misty mountain-brow a cloudy mantle hung,
Over the storm-king's giant shoulders, as he rose from slumber, flung;
And its fringe of gloom descended all the shrouded vales among.
Over the storm-king's giant shoulders, as he rose from slumber, flung;
And its fringe of gloom descended all the shrouded vales among.
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There was sound of mirth and revel in the Maxwell's castle-hall:
Mirth of warriors met for wassail, whilst without, upon the wall,
Watch and ward kept ancient Donald Bane, the stalwart seneschal.
Mirth of warriors met for wassail, whilst without, upon the wall,
Watch and ward kept ancient Donald Bane, the stalwart seneschal.
Stout and trusty man was Donald Bane;—at Naseby had he bled,
And at Wor'ster, where, with Scottish blood, the Saxon soil grew red;
Sturdily strode he now the ramparts, with a measured martial tread.
And at Wor'ster, where, with Scottish blood, the Saxon soil grew red;
Sturdily strode he now the ramparts, with a measured martial tread.
Through the gleaming turret casements Donald looked with longing peer,
Whence the sound of harp and pibroch broke by times upon his ear:
Clink of goblet, clash of trencher, could the sturdy yeoman hear.
Whence the sound of harp and pibroch broke by times upon his ear:
Clink of goblet, clash of trencher, could the sturdy yeoman hear.
Gloomily round the frowning turrets, and within the shattered fosse,
Giant shadows oft like phantoms would the soldier's vision cross—
Shapes that angrily toward Heaven seemed their cloudy arms to toss.
Giant shadows oft like phantoms would the soldier's vision cross—
Shapes that angrily toward Heaven seemed their cloudy arms to toss.
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Slowly strode the stalwart seneschal, with gauntlet on his sword;
Whilst within, in joyous revel, sat the castle's noble lord;
And a score of valiant chieftains clinked their goblets at his board.
Whilst within, in joyous revel, sat the castle's noble lord;
And a score of valiant chieftains clinked their goblets at his board.
There was wild Sir Duncan Carisbrooke, with matted elfin hair;
Stout Athlone, and winsome Umfraville, and reckless Ranaldmair;
And Lord Clavers, false and cruel, with a face like angel fair.
Stout Athlone, and winsome Umfraville, and reckless Ranaldmair;
And Lord Clavers, false and cruel, with a face like angel fair.
Many a shield, with dinted bosses, hung within that banquet-hall;
Drooped full many a lordly banner from the lofty turret wall:
But the shield and flag of Clavers hung the highest of them all.
Drooped full many a lordly banner from the lofty turret wall:
But the shield and flag of Clavers hung the highest of them all.
For with fire and steel from Stirling gates had Clavers ridden forth,
With his lips compressed, his forehead dark, his haughty spirit wroth;
And he swore to mark with foot of flame his pathway to the north.
With his lips compressed, his forehead dark, his haughty spirit wroth;
And he swore to mark with foot of flame his pathway to the north.
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Not like Scotia's sons of olden time, to quell the boasting Dane,
Or to drive the daring Southron far from Berwick's castled plain;
For this man had bared his broadsword, Scotia's noblest blood to drain.
Or to drive the daring Southron far from Berwick's castled plain;
For this man had bared his broadsword, Scotia's noblest blood to drain.
Noblest blood for aye, and priceless, that which fires the patriot's veins,
Be he prince or be he peasant, who the truth of God maintains:
Seed-like falls the blood of martyrs—harvesting the Future's plains!
Be he prince or be he peasant, who the truth of God maintains:
Seed-like falls the blood of martyrs—harvesting the Future's plains!
Breathing vengeance rode Lord Clavers, with his soul as dark as night;
And beside him Jamie Turner—red with many a gory fight;
And the fierce and frantic Dallzell, with his beard of silver white.
And beside him Jamie Turner—red with many a gory fight;
And the fierce and frantic Dallzell, with his beard of silver white.
Rode they forth with lance and banner, rode they forth with steel and brand,
And they swore to make a desert of the pleasant Scottish land,
And to slay, at hearth and altar, all the Covenanters' band.
And they swore to make a desert of the pleasant Scottish land,
And to slay, at hearth and altar, all the Covenanters' band.
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2. PART SECOND.
When the clouds were darkest, dreariest, over castle wall and tower—
When the goblet clink grew loudest, at the solemn midnight hour—
Then arose fair Annie Maxwell: hied she, trembling, from her bower.
When the goblet clink grew loudest, at the solemn midnight hour—
Then arose fair Annie Maxwell: hied she, trembling, from her bower.
Through the postern stole the maiden; shrill and fiercer moaned the blast;
Hied she forth amid the tempest, and the shadows dark and vast;
Donald paced the castle ramparts, but he wist not who had passed.
Hied she forth amid the tempest, and the shadows dark and vast;
Donald paced the castle ramparts, but he wist not who had passed.
Like a phantom through the midnight fled the Maxwell's daughter fair;
Loosely streamed the silken fillet that entwined her cloudy hair;
Backward waved her plaid and tresses, fluttering wildly on the air.
Loosely streamed the silken fillet that entwined her cloudy hair;
Backward waved her plaid and tresses, fluttering wildly on the air.
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Whither flies fair Annie Maxwell, 'mid the tempest fierce and wild?
Wherefore seeks she now the mountain, where the stormy clouds are piled?
Wherefore thus, through mist and darkness, flees the castle's winsome child?
Wherefore seeks she now the mountain, where the stormy clouds are piled?
Wherefore thus, through mist and darkness, flees the castle's winsome child?
She hath heard the oath of Clavers, at her father's festal board;
She hath heard his fiery troopers clash their sabres at the word;
And she knows that through high Ben Venú they ride with fire and sword.
She hath heard his fiery troopers clash their sabres at the word;
And she knows that through high Ben Venú they ride with fire and sword.
And fair Annie hath a true love—brave and loyal youth is he—
Who hath sworn to guard the Covenant as long as life shall be;
And who roams the hills an outlaw—praising God that he is free!
Who hath sworn to guard the Covenant as long as life shall be;
And who roams the hills an outlaw—praising God that he is free!
'Tis to save the brave young Ronald—'tis to warn him of his foes,
That the castle's winsome daughter from her maiden couch uprose.
Brave and loving Annie Maxwell! purer than the Highland snows!
That the castle's winsome daughter from her maiden couch uprose.
Brave and loving Annie Maxwell! purer than the Highland snows!
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Up the mountain-path, with weary feet, the gentle maiden pressed,
With her white hand fluttering dovelike on her wildly-heaving breast;—
Far above frowned Ben Venú, with storm and cloud upon his crest.
With her white hand fluttering dovelike on her wildly-heaving breast;—
Far above frowned Ben Venú, with storm and cloud upon his crest.
'Gainst the darkness pressed her forehead, as the mountain-path she clomb;
And the whiteness of that forehead seemed a snow-wreath on the gloom;
While her hair rolled darkly backward, like a billow from its foam.
And the whiteness of that forehead seemed a snow-wreath on the gloom;
While her hair rolled darkly backward, like a billow from its foam.
Heaven smiles on high endeavor! Lo! the tempest sank away,
And a star looked from the darkness, with a sweet and placid ray:
On the turf, amid the shadows, knelt the maiden down to pray.
And a star looked from the darkness, with a sweet and placid ray:
On the turf, amid the shadows, knelt the maiden down to pray.
Rose the clouds, like lifted curtains, over mountain, glen, and glade—
While the moonlight gushed adown the rocks—an echoless cascade;
And within it, like a peri, dripping silver, stood the maid.
While the moonlight gushed adown the rocks—an echoless cascade;
And within it, like a peri, dripping silver, stood the maid.
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Over her boddice gleamed the raindops, in a net of jewelrie;
And a lustre hemmed her garments, as they floated light and free;
And her midnight hair grew golden, like a glory on the sea.
And a lustre hemmed her garments, as they floated light and free;
And her midnight hair grew golden, like a glory on the sea.
Glanced her white feet in the moonbeam, as with silver sandals dight,
While the dewdrops glittered from them, in a spray of diamonds bright;
And a mist clung round her garments, as on angel-wings the light.
While the dewdrops glittered from them, in a spray of diamonds bright;
And a mist clung round her garments, as on angel-wings the light.
Like an angel, kneeling, praying, on that silent mountain-height,
With the moonbeams gushing o'er her, in a flood of liquid light:
Sure no fairer, holier presence ever greeted mortal sight!
With the moonbeams gushing o'er her, in a flood of liquid light:
Sure no fairer, holier presence ever greeted mortal sight!
For her heart was lifted upward, and through all its wondrous cells
Floated strange, mysterious melody, in cadences and swells,
As if all the air were tinkling with the thrill of crystal bells.
Floated strange, mysterious melody, in cadences and swells,
As if all the air were tinkling with the thrill of crystal bells.
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Smiled the moonbeams from the heavens, and the earth, with fragrant thanks,
Lifted up her perfumed offerings from a thousand flowery banks,
Where the dripping blades of heather softly bowed their glittering ranks;—
Lifted up her perfumed offerings from a thousand flowery banks,
Where the dripping blades of heather softly bowed their glittering ranks;—
From the beds of mountain-violets, from bowers of clustering vines,
Where the honeysuckle's crimson cup the jessamine entwines;
And where Scotia's drooping bluebell in its modest glory shines.
Where the honeysuckle's crimson cup the jessamine entwines;
And where Scotia's drooping bluebell in its modest glory shines.
Then the maiden's pulses fainted, as if spelled by witching art,
While the perfume, soft as lover's breathing, kissed her lips apart,
And the zephyr's fairy fingers touched the key-notes of her heart.
While the perfume, soft as lover's breathing, kissed her lips apart,
And the zephyr's fairy fingers touched the key-notes of her heart.
Thus she prayed amid the loneliness of forest, mount, and stream—
And the shadows melted round her, like the darkness of a dream.
Oh! in truth, fair Annie Maxwell did a blesséd angel seem!
And the shadows melted round her, like the darkness of a dream.
Oh! in truth, fair Annie Maxwell did a blesséd angel seem!
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For ye might have marked the dawning of her softly-glowing face,
As a roseleaf through a lily made transparent we should trace—
Or an inner light outbreaking from an alabaster vase.
As a roseleaf through a lily made transparent we should trace—
Or an inner light outbreaking from an alabaster vase.
Thus she prayed amid the moonlight, and she murmured, “Ronald, dear!”
But she heard not from the mountain-path a lightsome foot draw near—
Till a voice, in well-known music, whispered, “Annie, I am here!”
But she heard not from the mountain-path a lightsome foot draw near—
Till a voice, in well-known music, whispered, “Annie, I am here!”
3. PART THIRD.
Morning breaks in blue o'er Ben Venú—the morning of our Lord;
And a hundred plaided warriors kneel in prayer upon the sward,
And the songs of outlawed Christians rise in beautiful accord.
And a hundred plaided warriors kneel in prayer upon the sward,
And the songs of outlawed Christians rise in beautiful accord.
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Songs of loud and vehement triumph—rolling round the cavernous hills;
Higher and higher the hymn sonorous through each echoing chasm thrills:
High and higher the resonant chorus all the arching heaven fills.
Higher and higher the hymn sonorous through each echoing chasm thrills:
High and higher the resonant chorus all the arching heaven fills.
Here no pomp of man's cathedrals, pillared shrine nor sounding aisle—
Here no frescoed roof, no sculptured stone, no gold-emblazoned pile,—
But a towering cliff the altar, and the church a dim defile.
Here no frescoed roof, no sculptured stone, no gold-emblazoned pile,—
But a towering cliff the altar, and the church a dim defile.
Columned from the rocks basaltic—towering higher than man might climb—
Base, and capital, and architrave, existent from all time;
And the blue of heaven o'erarching in a canopy sublime.
Base, and capital, and architrave, existent from all time;
And the blue of heaven o'erarching in a canopy sublime.
And with flowers the aisles were tesselate—with flowers and shining grass;
And the vines, festooned and draperied, drooped in many a twining mass;
And the gateway of this temple was a narrow mountain-pass.
And the vines, festooned and draperied, drooped in many a twining mass;
And the gateway of this temple was a narrow mountain-pass.
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Cleft and hollowed from the rocky walls that circled half the scene—
Steep and perilously descending, whilst a chasm yawned between:
Fearful passway for the invader seemed this dangerous ravine.
Steep and perilously descending, whilst a chasm yawned between:
Fearful passway for the invader seemed this dangerous ravine.
For a score of men might battle here against a countless host,
Scattering foes as waves are shivered on Lochcarron's rocky coast;—
Such a wild Thermopylæ this as only Scotia's land may boast.
Scattering foes as waves are shivered on Lochcarron's rocky coast;—
Such a wild Thermopylæ this as only Scotia's land may boast.
Loud and bold, and echoing grandly, swell the Covenanters' songs—
Far and near each vale resoundingly the rolling strain prolongs;
And the vaulted caverns tremble as with clang of martial gongs.
Far and near each vale resoundingly the rolling strain prolongs;
And the vaulted caverns tremble as with clang of martial gongs.
Rolling, deepening, sinking, muttering—faint and fainter falls the sound,
Till the last thin note dissolveth in the valley-deeps profound:
Then a silence, as of midnight, suddenly creepeth all around.
Till the last thin note dissolveth in the valley-deeps profound:
Then a silence, as of midnight, suddenly creepeth all around.
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Silence, deep and hush'd as midnight, broken only by the clamp,
As of coursers' hoofs descending o'er the rocks with sullen tramp,
And the hollow mountain-echoes, answering each resounding stamp.
As of coursers' hoofs descending o'er the rocks with sullen tramp,
And the hollow mountain-echoes, answering each resounding stamp.
Brief and low the benediction—while the warrior-preacher's ken
Swept afar the mountain-passes and the openings of the glen:
Then a clash of targe and claymore rudely spake the stern “Amen!”
Swept afar the mountain-passes and the openings of the glen:
Then a clash of targe and claymore rudely spake the stern “Amen!”
Vanished from the rocks and gorges who but now had knelt in prayer—
Sire and child, and youth and maiden—gone, as if enwrapped in air;
Gone and vanished from the temple—stalwart men and women fair.
Sire and child, and youth and maiden—gone, as if enwrapped in air;
Gone and vanished from the temple—stalwart men and women fair.
Yet nor flying they nor fearsome. Lo! around that temple wide—
Hidden within the cloven caverns and the beds of torrents dried—
Still they kneel, and mutely worship, in the craggy mountain's side.
Hidden within the cloven caverns and the beds of torrents dried—
Still they kneel, and mutely worship, in the craggy mountain's side.
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4. PART FOURTH.
Out of the heavens, bright and beautiful, the showering sunlight falls—
As with golden garments robing cliff, and rock, and craggy walls;
Building piles of hazy glory, glittering towers and shining halls.
As with golden garments robing cliff, and rock, and craggy walls;
Building piles of hazy glory, glittering towers and shining halls.
Calm and beautiful is the landscape, with the sunlight smiling o'er;—
All is silent, save the turbulence of some cataract's angry roar,
As it surges dull and heavily on Loch Achray's cloudy shore.
All is silent, save the turbulence of some cataract's angry roar,
As it surges dull and heavily on Loch Achray's cloudy shore.
And amid the blesséd calmness, and beneath the sunbeam mild—
While around, in awful loneliness, the mountain walls are piled—
Kneels the Covenanter Ronald, with the Maxwell's bonnie child.
While around, in awful loneliness, the mountain walls are piled—
Kneels the Covenanter Ronald, with the Maxwell's bonnie child.
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Yawning fearfully before them, glooms a wide and darksome chasm,
Whence the rocks were riven, ages since, by some tremendous spasm;
Silent kneel the youth and maiden, hushed with high enthusiasm.
Whence the rocks were riven, ages since, by some tremendous spasm;
Silent kneel the youth and maiden, hushed with high enthusiasm.
Over the chasm, dizzily spanning, poised upon the perilous clifts,
Lo! a bridge of sycamores springing, high its gnarléd form uplifts—
Fearful causeway, heavily swinging, o'er the terrible mountain rifts.
Lo! a bridge of sycamores springing, high its gnarléd form uplifts—
Fearful causeway, heavily swinging, o'er the terrible mountain rifts.
Long and wearily through the night had Ronald marked the changing skies—
Long and wearily watching, listening, lest the foemen might surprise:
Sentinel'd here, the bridge before him—bridge and chasm before his eyes.
Long and wearily watching, listening, lest the foemen might surprise:
Sentinel'd here, the bridge before him—bridge and chasm before his eyes.
Long and wearily 'mid the tempest, through the awful gloom of night,
Watch had Ronald held unfaltering, on that lonely mountain height,
'Till the stars and Annie Maxwell shone at once upon his sight.
Watch had Ronald held unfaltering, on that lonely mountain height,
'Till the stars and Annie Maxwell shone at once upon his sight.
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Now the night and storm were vanished—and the scent of flowrets fair,
Like the breath of heaven's dear angels, floated sweetly through the air;—
Hand in hand, and heart to heart, the lovers breathed their morning prayer.
Like the breath of heaven's dear angels, floated sweetly through the air;—
Hand in hand, and heart to heart, the lovers breathed their morning prayer.
Very soft was Annie's orison—like a brooklet's liquid tones—
Like a low and musical brooklet, trickling o'er its crystal stones;
Yet it reached her Infinite Father, bending from His throne of thrones.
Like a low and musical brooklet, trickling o'er its crystal stones;
Yet it reached her Infinite Father, bending from His throne of thrones.
Far above the kneeling lovers—swelling forth in golden thrills,
Rolling grandly down the passes—echoed sweetly through the hills,
Hark! the hymn of Martin Luther all the raptured mountain fills!
Rolling grandly down the passes—echoed sweetly through the hills,
Hark! the hymn of Martin Luther all the raptured mountain fills!
Hymn of prayer and praise triumphant! hymn for soldier-saints to sing!
List! o'er Ben Venú it broodeth, like a glorious angel's wing;
And beneath its voiceful music trembleth every living thing.
List! o'er Ben Venú it broodeth, like a glorious angel's wing;
And beneath its voiceful music trembleth every living thing.
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Then, another sound comes downward—rushing through the mountain caves,
Like the roar of angry water, as in chasm and tarn it raves,
When the storm is gathering mightily o'er Loch Katrine's yesty waves.
Like the roar of angry water, as in chasm and tarn it raves,
When the storm is gathering mightily o'er Loch Katrine's yesty waves.
Upward suddenly rose young Ronald, flinging back his clustering locks,
Whilst, with gaze of eagle range, his eyes explored the sundered rocks,
Whence the sound of iron hoof-beats echoed loud in measured shocks.
Whilst, with gaze of eagle range, his eyes explored the sundered rocks,
Whence the sound of iron hoof-beats echoed loud in measured shocks.
Swooping down the mountain passes rode a hundred horsemen bold:
Swaying plumes and flashing corselets—gallant troopers to behold;
And the foremost man was Clavers, with his locks of waving gold.
Swaying plumes and flashing corselets—gallant troopers to behold;
And the foremost man was Clavers, with his locks of waving gold.
Downward thundering, while the sun-light sheathed each iron form in flame:
Faint and fearsome grew fair Annie, as the horsemen rushing came;
Well she marked her sire, Lord Maxwell, riding foremost with the Græme.
Faint and fearsome grew fair Annie, as the horsemen rushing came;
Well she marked her sire, Lord Maxwell, riding foremost with the Græme.
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Loudly roared the sunken cataracts—but the troopers' yell rose higher;
Downward rode they, swift and heavily, every hoof-print flecked with fire,
Downward swooping toward the sycamore bridge, still downward, nigher and nigher.
Downward rode they, swift and heavily, every hoof-print flecked with fire,
Downward swooping toward the sycamore bridge, still downward, nigher and nigher.
Yet, nor faint nor fearsome Ronald:—swelled and throbb'd his bosom proud—
Resolute rose he, like an oak athwart the tempest-laden cloud—
While the lily, Annie Maxwell, on the cliff beneath him bowed.
Resolute rose he, like an oak athwart the tempest-laden cloud—
While the lily, Annie Maxwell, on the cliff beneath him bowed.
Towering mightily on the precipice, with its beetling crags o'erhung—
And the yawning chasm before him, with the sycamores o'er it flung—
Lo! a ponderous Scottish battle-axe around his head he swung.
And the yawning chasm before him, with the sycamores o'er it flung—
Lo! a ponderous Scottish battle-axe around his head he swung.
Flashed that war-axe in the sun-light—raised in terrible strength toward heaven—
Circling fearfully, swift descending—like a thunderbolt downward driven:—
Reel'd the bridge, and rock'd the precipice, as by lightning fiercely riven.
Circling fearfully, swift descending—like a thunderbolt downward driven:—
Reel'd the bridge, and rock'd the precipice, as by lightning fiercely riven.
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Once again—a terrible engine—surging, shivering, as it fell:
Echoed the sound from wood and mountain—hoarsely sank through cave and dell;
Then from Clavers' vengeful troopers rose a loud, discordant yell.
Echoed the sound from wood and mountain—hoarsely sank through cave and dell;
Then from Clavers' vengeful troopers rose a loud, discordant yell.
Suddenly check'd, with choking bridle, back the Maxwell's courser reared—
Wildly gasping, widely staring, down that pass the Maxwell peered;—
Was it the phantom of his daughter? was it wraith or vision weird?
Wildly gasping, widely staring, down that pass the Maxwell peered;—
Was it the phantom of his daughter? was it wraith or vision weird?
Bright and beautiful, like a seraph—as if scarce of earth a part—
Mute and motionless, kneeling—moulded it might seem by sculptor's art,—
And a shield of iron upholding, covering Ronald's valiant heart.
Mute and motionless, kneeling—moulded it might seem by sculptor's art,—
And a shield of iron upholding, covering Ronald's valiant heart.
Sturdily fell the blows of Ronald, while the maid beside him kneeled—
Never a jot their true hearts faltered—never a jot their spirits reeled;
Still the maid beside her lover knelt, and raised the ponderous shield.
Never a jot their true hearts faltered—never a jot their spirits reeled;
Still the maid beside her lover knelt, and raised the ponderous shield.
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Then from arquebuse and matchlock, hurtling on that shield amain—
Over the sycamores fiercely crashing, sped the troopers' leaden rain,—
Hurtling fierce upon that iron shield—still fiercer, but in vain.
Over the sycamores fiercely crashing, sped the troopers' leaden rain,—
Hurtling fierce upon that iron shield—still fiercer, but in vain.
For the war-axe still fell heavily—fell with wide-resounding clang;
And the echoing caverns answered, where the Covenanters sang—
And the rocks in diapason like a mighty organ rang.
And the echoing caverns answered, where the Covenanters sang—
And the rocks in diapason like a mighty organ rang.
Darkly frowned the fair Lord Clavers—cast he back his yellow hair;
Thrice he grasped a trooper's pistol—thrice his bullet clove the air;—
Ronald answered with a sturdier blow—the maiden with a prayer.
Thrice he grasped a trooper's pistol—thrice his bullet clove the air;—
Ronald answered with a sturdier blow—the maiden with a prayer.
Madly swore the baffled Clavers—and the Maxwell, raving wild,
Raised his mailéd hands to heaven, with impious curses on his child;
But fair Annie raised the buckler over her lover—and sweetly smiled.
Raised his mailéd hands to heaven, with impious curses on his child;
But fair Annie raised the buckler over her lover—and sweetly smiled.
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And the troopers, wildly cursing, saw the cliff's unstable ridge
Break and crumble downward heavily, 'neath the yielding timbers' edge;—
Well they knew that mortal footsteps nevermore might tread the bridge.
Break and crumble downward heavily, 'neath the yielding timbers' edge;—
Well they knew that mortal footsteps nevermore might tread the bridge.
Mightily fell the blows of Ronald—fell the last, the giant stroke—
Like a cross-bolt, over the precipice, down the crashing timbers broke—
And a roar like mingled thunders from the mountain's womb awoke.
Like a cross-bolt, over the precipice, down the crashing timbers broke—
And a roar like mingled thunders from the mountain's womb awoke.
Dust and smoke and dry leaves whirling, half obscured the frowning height,
Backward reeled the steeds of Clavers, rearing, plunging, in affright;
Only once again fair Annie met her stormy father's sight.
Backward reeled the steeds of Clavers, rearing, plunging, in affright;
Only once again fair Annie met her stormy father's sight.
Once and only—as in brightness to her lover's breast she clung,
While young Ronald toward the mountain-caves with lightsome foot upsprung,
With the iron shield and battle-axe athwart his shoulders flung.
While young Ronald toward the mountain-caves with lightsome foot upsprung,
With the iron shield and battle-axe athwart his shoulders flung.
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But adown the mountain gorges, and around the sounding hills,
Once again the hymn sonorous of the warrior-Christians thrills—
Once again the resonant chorus all the arching heaven fills.
Once again the hymn sonorous of the warrior-Christians thrills—
Once again the resonant chorus all the arching heaven fills.
Many a maid in bonnie Scotland, on the mountain-sward hath kneeled—
Many a brave and loyal soldier fought on Freedom's glorious field;
But no nobler souls than Ronald and the Maiden of the Shield.
Many a brave and loyal soldier fought on Freedom's glorious field;
But no nobler souls than Ronald and the Maiden of the Shield.
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