University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

Scene.—Hall of a castle in the Highlands of Scotland. An oaken staircase on one side of the hall leads to the open door of a corridor. The hall is hung with banners and old Scottish weapons. Pointed windows. Through the high and spacious archway of door open at back, placed towards side, almost diagonally, are seen, first a narrow stretch of land, then a lake which it borders. The slopes of mountains descend beyond the lake on each side. Within the hall Ursula is at her wheel spinning. A group of hunters approach, and are heard singing the following chorus—
As the singing becomes audible, Ursula ceases to spin, and remains motionless. The hunters then appear, some of them bearing the slain stag upon their shoulders. They pass the archway repeating the chorus till their voices are lost in the distance. Sunset is visible through the archway.
Urs.
[Rising and placing her wheel on one side.]
Again the sun, like a spent warrior, drops
His flag of fire on the lake's breast, and dies.
The fifth night, yet no news. They must have met
Ere this—my brother, and his brave Macronalds,
And Murdoch, who leads on our mortal foes,
The fell Mackanes.
Enter Roderick, an old Clansman.
Roderick, are those returned
You sent for tidings to the pass?

Rod.
Returned
From a vain quest.

Urs.
Still vain! 'Tis now five days
Since the Mackanes hung on yon mountain's slope,
Scarce an hour's march hence. In a night my brother
Summoned his force to meet them—must have met them
In strife ere this.

Rod.
Spoke I not truth to Angus?
I said, “Beware of the cat's stealthy windings.
Those posted on the slope are but decoys
Who seek to lure you onward to their land,
Where toil and hunger, fighting on their side,
Shall harm you more than steel.” Your brother reck'd not;
The lion's heart, with a child's brain to guide it,
Still urged him on; and now, perchance, ensnared,
He vainly struggles, while I, I—grown old—
A toothless mastiff dozing in the sun—
Must no more from the loosen'd leash bound forth
On my chief's foe, and shake him by the throat!
No; I'm no longer Roderick!

Urs.
Nay, staunch heart!
The watchdog, like the bloodhound, has his use.
I know, did danger threat your chief's sole child,
My fair niece Lilian, you would find your tusks.

Rod.
Thou say'st it, honoured dame. Methinks for her
Even these old gums would bite. Our Lady Lilian,
Our pride! nay more, our help! who, with the skill
In herbs and surgery she early gained,
Nursed me when wounded, tending all my needs
As she had been my daughter!

Urs.
Ah! she loves
Better to staunch a wound than pay its due
To the bold hand that gave it.

Rod.
Ay; she has lived
Till lately in a convent, where the sisters,
As is their pious trade, feed scrupulous souls
With saws of peace and mercy; wholesome fare
For mewed-up women, and sick, bedridden men.
Yes, there's a time for all things, for repentance
And mercy 'mong the rest. They're good, no doubt,
When the priest mumbles shrift, and one about
To quit this world must give up his old likings
To earn the next. Nay, nay, this mood will pass.
Our eaglet, 'scap'd her nun's cage, will by instinct
Learn the great swoop that fits Clanronald's brood!
Look, look! her barge makes land even now.

[A boat is seen at back, gliding up the lake. The boat stops in centre of archway, and Lilian and Margery come on shore. The boatmen doff their bonnets to Lilian, and row on out of sight. Roderick advances to meet Lilian.
Lil.
[Divesting herself of her mantle.]
Good Margery,
Take thou this mantle.

[She gives it to her. Margery curtsies, and passes out at a side door.
Rod.
Daughter of Macronald,
Welcome! thrice welcome!

Lil.
Thanks, thanks, Roderick.
What tidings of my father?

Rod.
None.

Urs.
None.

Lil.
Strange!
You to the glen sent, and I now return
From where the witch's craig commands the lake.
Heaven guard my father and the clan of Ronald!
Oh, had I been his son, still to be found
At his right hand in danger!

Urs.
A daughter, though she fight not, well may aid
Her father's cause. You are of age to marry.
The nephew of the Cameron sought your hand;
If you had wed him, you had gained your clan
A strong ally.

Lil.
A crafty one, who sows
Strife 'twixt his neighbours that himself may thrive
Upon their loss. Well for us if the Camerons
Prove not our peril one day!

Rod.
Shrewdly said.

Urs.
There's young Macleod, the cousin of the chief,
Him you repulsed.

Lil.
Macleod! He has flaxen hair
And a hand like a woman's; then he plays
The harp. The hand I take shall never finger
Harp-strings, but do the deeds that harp-strings echo.

[The sunset has disappeared. A rather misty twilight comes on. A servant enters with a lighted torch, which he strikes into floor by mantel-piece: he then goes out.
Rod.
Thou hast a face to win men, and thou know'st it.

Lil.
Ay, Roderick, ever since a child, I saw
That face reflected in your polished shield,
And to myself said, “Lilian's a beauty!
She's very much like dear Aunt Ursula.”

[Throwing her arms round Ursula's neck.
Urs.
Yes, you know how to fool one. But say, Lilian,
If you refuse all strangers, why not wed
One of your clansmen? Malcolm long has wooed you.

Lil.
My cousin? Oh, he's grave beyond his age.
I do not like a year without a spring,
Nor manhood without youth.

Urs.
You scorned no less
Your distant kinsman Hector.

Rod.
Oh, she scorns
Them all in turn. Yet Hector's handsome.

Lil.
Fierce
And handsome—tiger-like. I want a man.

Urs.
What fault has Duncan?

Lil.
Duncan has red hair.

Rod.
Is that a fault?

Lil.
A grievous fault to have
The roof of his brain in conflagration, yet
Within no spark of light or fire to cause it.
Duncan's a simple fool.

Urs.
Well, then, young David?

Lil.
[With a laugh.]
Oh, David has black hair.

Rod.
[Drily.]
You like not black,
Nor red, nor flaxen—nor the shades between?

Lil.
Ah, Roderick! 'tis the wearer, not the hair,
That's hard to fancy. Give me, then, a man
Who has the love of song like young Macleod,
Yet knows war's trade like Hector; fresh with youth
Like David, yet in counsel sage as Malcolm;
With Duncan's faith, and yet without his folly;
And that particular shade of hair that suits me;
And then—

Rod.
Well, then?

Lil.
I'll look at the man twice
Ere I say, Go your way; but would he win
My heart, indeed, let him be brave, as is
My father, yet respect a noble foe;
And, if he vanquish, spare him.

Urs.
Spare a foe!
Next to her hope of heaven a chieftain's daughter
Should love her clan; next to perdition, hate
Its enemies!

Lil.
I hate all wrong, and all
Who work wrong while they work it.

Rod.
While they work it.
No “whiles,” child! Hate's the cordial wine that warms
The heart; but “whiles” and “ifs” are the mere water
That mars the draught and thins the drinker's blood.
Give me hate neat! I like not drink diluted.

Lil.
Nay, Roderick, well did Abbess Hilda teach
That we, who all offend, should mercy show
To those who share our taint.

[Sits at table.
Urs.
The convent's prate
Where thou wast bred.

Rod.
[To Lilian.]
Think of your cause to loathe
The clan Mackane!

Urs.
[To Lilian.]
A husband's death I owe them;
And you a mother's! she my brother's wife.
[Severely.]
Have you forgot the tale? Recall and muse on it.
In such a month as this, when such a twilight
As deepens now had fallen, your father absent
With all brave hearts that rallied to his war-cry,
These wolves his warrior eye had like a torch
Scared back into their woods, besieged our hold.
Your mother, then about to bear that name,
Lay helpless in her chamber, when the glare
Of flames (for with a belt of fire Mackane
Had girt our walls) laughed redly at her casement!
By Mary's grace, a royal force on march
Drove back the assailants; quenched the spreading flames!
But she, who shuddering in that chamber lay,
Hands clenched, lips locked in fear, her upturned gaze
Fixed on the reddening sky, with scarce a moan
Gave to our house a new life—Lilian, thine—
And breathed her own to heaven! Recall that tale!

Lil.
[Absorbed.]
What had it been to have known a mother!

Urs.
[With awe.]
It was not so to be. Before she passed,
Thou know'st she saw distinct the fatal shape
Of that fierce Graham whom your ancestor
In sudden quarrel slew; since when, the phantom
We know as Graham's wraith has still appeared
To tell our race of danger or of death!

Lil.
I would you had not named him.

Urs.
Why?

Lil.
Because
But three nights since I saw him!

Urs.
Saw him?

Lil.
Ay,
As you have oft portrayed him; by my bed
He stood, or seemed to stand, with gaze intent,
And long black hair that like a half-rent veil
Disclosed the fearful secret of his brow,
Frowning and pallid! From his bosom gashed,
One hand drew down the plaid and bared to sight
His gory wound; the other bore his sword,
Which pointed back, as beckoning me to follow;
While o'er his death-struck aspect flitted slow
A smile of triumph which, having passed, the shape—
As though it lived but in the evil light
Of that strange smile—passed with it!

Urs.
Nay!

[The spectre of Graham's wraith appears dimly through the archway in the mist which has deepened, and which now dissolves and shows the light of the moon. The moonlight is soft and subdued. The spectre becomes gradually distinct, and in all respects resembles the description given of it in preceding dialogue.
Lil.
[Rising.]
I saw it,
Plain as that wall, that shield, or yonder—

[Turning to archway, she perceives the spectre, and stands arrested. Ursula and Roderick, to whom the spectre remains invisible, also rise.
Urs.
Lilian!

Rod.
Has fancy
Raised to her o'erwrought sense, the thing she feared?

Lil.
[To spectre.]
I know thee, phantom! If, dread shape, thy summons
Be unto me, fresh chapleted with hopes
And half-blown joys of youth, may heaven forgive
The victim's blemish, and accept her life!
If for those near unto my heart thou com'st,
Or other ill dost to our house portend,
Heaven's mercy shield us! To its will, not thine,
Spirit of vengeance, I commit myself!
See, see! the smile fades from his face, and with it
He fades! [The spectre vanishes.]
Gone! all is air!
He was, and is not!

[Faintly, and sinking on a chair.
Rod.
Courage! you looked on nought.

Urs.
Imagination
Is wont to breed such shows.

Lil.
And you saw nothing?

Urs.
Nothing.

Lil.
'Tis strange! most strange! [Suddenly.]
What sound was that?
Hark! hark! It comes again! It swells! The tumult
Of fight, the clash of arms, the clansman's war-cry!

Urs.
There's no such sound.

Rod.
[Goes up to archway.]
I hear none.

Lil.
You will hear.

Hector appears at archway, followed by two armed Clansmen guarding Kenelm, and by two or three Retainers.
Hec.
[To Clansmen.]
See to that boy, my prisoner, straightway guard him.

[Clansmen bear off Kenelm by side door. The Retainers remain in the hall.
Urs.
You, Hector? say, what tidings?

Hec.
The Mackanes—
Near you, and poised to swoop upon your nest—
Are by your brother and our clan o'ertaken;
Almost within your hearing they contend.
I through the fight cut way to bear you warning.
You, Roderick, for the women's safety care;
For me, my place is in the field; farewell!

[Rushes out.
Rod.
[To Retainers.]
Follow him, you, and with what speed you may
Bring tidings of the fight!
[Retainers hurry out after Hector. Huntsmen and servants pass the archway, and follow them with torches.
Let's hope the better fate; but for the worse
Be still prepared. A boat lies by the shore;
At once, then, cross the lake and 'scape your foes!

Lil.
[To Ursula.]
Heed him, and follow! Haste! my almost mother.
Farewell!

Rod.
[To Lilian.]
And you?

Lil.
[Apart to him.]
Macronald's child, when foes invade his hearth,
May die there, but not quit it!

[She takes her stand upon the hearthstone.
Urs.
That's my place!
You are young, and, should they conquer, you brave death,
Or worse than death!

Lil.
For death I am prepared;
And worse than death I can prevent.

[She takes a dagger from old armour which surmounts mantel-piece, and conceals it beneath her plaid. The shouts of the combatants, mingled with the notes of the pipes, are now heard faintly in the distance.
Rod.
Hist! Now
You catch the shout! [After a pause, sounds repeated.]
Strike home, brave Angus! would
I could strike with you!

[The shouts and notes of the pipes, though still distant, become more distinct. At length the cry, “Craig Eagalach!” “Craig Eagalach!” is remotely heard.
Urs.
'Twas a single war-cry.

Lil.
Whose? Again!

[The cry, “Craig Eagalach!” “Craig Eagalach!” becomes still more distinct.
Rod.
It is but one shout, and that shout our own!
“Craig Eagalach!”—the Rock of Terror—yes,
The fight is o'er. [To Lilian.]
Your father comes a victor!

[Triumphant music from the pipes of the Clanronald is now heard near. Suddenly the notes of triumph are exchanged for low wailing music.
Urs.
Why sink those notes of triumph to a wail?

Rod.
They come! they come!

Enter, preceded by servants with torches and others, the pipers and standard-bearer of the Macronalds, the latter bearing a flag with the crest, device of a castle, surmounted by a hand grasping a sword, and having above the motto, “My hope is constant in thee.” They are followed by Malcolm, Hector, Torquil, and many other of the Macronalds. Malcolm, Hector, Torquil, and one or two others, as kinsmen of the chief, wear each an eagle's feather in his bonnet. The general body wear in their bonnets heath the badge of the Macronalds. Some carry double-edged swords, targets, and daggers, others the same (targets excepted) with the addition of bows and arrows. The low wail from bagpipes continues till all have entered.
Urs.
Speak, Malcolm, Torquil, speak!
Victory is yours we know, but at what cost?

[Hector retires, and goes out at side door. Musicians retire at back, and await the body of Angus.
Mal.
What woe these sounds lament too soon, too soon
Shall grieve your ears. But take our whole brief story.—
As you guessed, Roderick, the foemen's line,
Seen on yon hills, was meant but to decoy.
The scanty band retreating, lured us on
Into their hostile land! At length young David—
Hector's dear foster-brother—with the ardour
Of nineteen summers, darted from our ranks
And neared the foe, who then, with sudden onset,
Closed round and seized him! Not his youth nor courage
Touched their fierce hearts. A dozen daggers gleamed,
And in the stripling's bosom found their sheaths!
Heaven forget me, if ever I forget
That white and beardless face!

Lil.
O wolves, not men!

Mal.
Still hold you firm; this grief a greater heralds,
That bids all listeners stand unbonneted
For a dead king on his bier! O, ask not words;
Think what our clan holds its best strength—its pride—
Even that we lack!

Rod.
Cease, raven! Say thou speak'st not
Of Angus, of our chief?

Lil.
Not of my father?

Mal.
[To Lilian.]
Cousin, too true, too true, your father's dead!

Lil.
Dead, say you? Then of his fate, not of mine,
The spectre warned me. Father!

[Sits absorbed in grief.
Urs.
Say, how fell he?

Mal.
With feet by vengeance winged, on David's murderers
We rushed, and at the sword's edge forced confession
That their chief strength was marching on our home.
Swift we pursued, and where the misty moon
Showed our old tower, o'ertook them, when a shaft—
A cursed shaft—struck noble Angus down!

Rod.
My chief! And I live on!

Urs.
Farewell, my brother!
Thou diedst as should my brother!

Mal.
We avenged him;
For like a crag, that, loosened from its height,
Rings down the echoing slope, we burst upon them!
Before the shock they fled. To us returned,
Falls the sad task to tell you of that loss
Which we share with you.

Urs.
Nephew, thanks! For me,
I'll to my chamber. Lilian!

[Lilian rises. Roderick takes a torch from an attendant, and ushers Ursula and Lilian, whom Ursula supports, to the foot of the staircase leading to corridor.
Mal.
[To Ursula and Lilian.]
May all saints
Have you in keeping! Upon me unworthy
Now lights the state of chief; command me ever.
Cousin and aunt, good night!

[Malcolm and Clansmen bow with deep reverence, while Ursula, preceded by Roderick with torch, and followed by Lilian, begin to ascend staircase.
Re-enter, from side door, Hector, dragging Kenelm, who wears the Mackane plaid and a sprig of holly in his cap.
Hec.
A prize! a prize!
My prize!

Mal.
What slip is this,
That in our sight doth bear the holly badge
Of the Mackanes?

[Ursula, preceded by Roderick, disappears in corridor. Lilian, arrested by the sight of Kenelm and by the tumult, remains on staircase.
Hec.
While through their land we pressed,
I, smit with thirst, entering a cottar's house,
Chanced on this boy, charge of a crone with whom,
For more concealment while his kin were absent,
His father placed him! But his look and garb
Spoke the lad's rank. I bore him off; but when
I and my fellows following gained our rear,
The fight was hottest. Natheless, through the strife
We held the boy in guard, and hither brought him.
'Tis Murdoch's son, chief of the clan Mackane:
He has confessed it.

Tor. and Clansmen.
[Fiercely.]
Murdoch's son!

Mal.
[Sternly to Kenelm.]
Thy name?

[Kenelm shrinks back.
Hec.
He weeps. His father has caused tears enough.

Mal.
Quickly, thy name?

[Kenelm is silent.
Tor.
He fears or shames to speak it.

Ken.
Thou liest! I am the son of Murdoch, chief
Of the Mackanes. 'Tis thou, not I, would fear,
Dog of Macronald, were my father by!

Hec.
There spoke his father's son. Malcolm, remember
Young David murdered, my loved foster-brother,
Whose fresh wounds cry, “Revenge!” Let that revenge
Reach all Mackanes through him!

[Pointing to Kenelm.
Tor.
Ay, son for son!
And blood for blood!

Clansmen.
'Tis just!

Mal.
Ye say so?

Tor., Hec., and other Clansmen.
All!

Lil.
[Who has descended staircase, and advanced to the front.]
Malcolm, what horror's this?

Mal.
Thou here? retire!
This is no place for women.

Lil.
Yes; where'er
The helpless cry for mercy, and man heeds not,
There is the place for women!

Hec.
Did his tribe
Show our young David mercy?

Mal.
No; he fell
A living target pierced with daggers! Cowards!
A score against a boy!

Hec.
[Pointing to Kenelm.]
He dies!

Tor. and other Clansmen.
He dies!

Ken.
[To Lilian.]
Can pity for my fate flow in thy veins?

Mal.
Wouldst thou, an orphan, spare their ruthless seed
Who made thee such? Your father, girl, had crushed it.

Lil.
Thou dost defame him, Malcolm; and his blood,
Which flows direct in me as doth a stream
From a hid spring, doth tell thee thou defam'st him!
[She seizes Kenelm's hand. Clansmen on each side advance to obstruct her passage.
My father, didst thou say? With him a man,
Armed to the teeth, ran danger; but a woman
And child were safe, being helpless.
[These words produce some impression on all except Hector.
So with you;
[To Malcolm.
So with you all.
[To Clansmen.
Macronalds, hear your sister!

Hec.
Fall ye to doubt? Lady, our chief has spoken.

[He advances to seize Kenelm.
Lil.
[Withdrawing Kenelm.]
Back! I am daughter of your dead chief Angus!
Command him back!

[To Malcolm. Hector turns to Malcolm as for orders.
Mal.
[To Lilian.]
Thou know'st my will. Retire,
Let go that hand.

Lil.
Not till some savage grasp
Wrench it from mine! There's no such here! [Taking flag from standard-bearer.]
See, Malcolm—
See all—the banner of our race! Who looks
Upon these folds, nor feels a clansman's pride?
These folds, that, ever first in danger's track,
Waved heroes on! If by this deed ye stain
Your glorious flag, no more wear swords, but henceforth
Whet knives for shambles. I, for one, abjure
Macronald's name, and at my shrinking feet
Cast your loathed colours! Shall I? Speak?
[Seeing Roderick, who descends staircase with torch.
Ah, Roderick!
Thou art a soldier. Take and shield this boy!

[She gives Kenelm to Roderick and confronts Clansmen.
Mal.
[With admiration.]
A true Macronald!

[Torquil and most of the Clansmen, but not Hector, signify assent, exclaiming, 'Tis Angus' daughter!
Mal.
Yes; her father's soul
Looks from her eyes! [To Clansmen.]
Brothers, I may not spurn
A prayer so urged; the first prayer from the lips
Of Angus' child. [To Hector.]
Doubt not we'll take revenge,
Signal, it may be nobler, for slain David.
[To Lilian.]
Cousin, you have prevailed, the boy shall live,
But on these terms, or else he forfeits mercy,
That he no longer bears his people's name,
[A movement of indignation from Kenelm, which Lilian represses, and again takes his hand.
Who shall not deem he lives; and that he rest,
Guarded within our power, so to be dealt with
By us as we by them. Thus much we grant
Your father's child.
[A wail of the pipes is heard from musicians at back.
List! from the field they bear
His corse, the clay that once was Angus!

[The wail is renewed. Roderick takes flag from Lilian. A friar advances by torchlight through archway at the head of a few clanspeople and domestics, including women and children of both sexes, who precede and surround the body of Angus. The group divide in front, and discover the body of Angus on a bier, the arms folded on the breast, the hands closed on a sword. The wail continues. All Clansmen uncover and bend in reverence.
Lil.
[Advancing in solemn grief to the body and kneeling, her arm round Kenelm, who also uncovers and bends.]
Father!