Proudly there stood by the rock-bound shore
A lordly home, with turrets gray;
But the knight afar in Paynim land
Had been many a year away.
Merrily dashed the sea-driven foam
High on the lofty castle wall;
But the henchmen moved them drowsily,
For lone, alas! were bower and hall.
'Twas the hour when wearied daylight sinks
In the arms of the waiting west,
And gloaming steals from her purple cave,
Bearing her lone star on her breast.
When the glades like minster windows gleam
With slanting rays of burnished gold,
And stealing shadows, in fond embrace,
Are creeping the forest to fold.
Through the dim and faint-lit forest aisles,
Flitting among the grey old trees,
The maiden sped on, each weary sigh
Mingling with the evening breeze.
"Oh, would he were come--the gallant Hay,
Quickly the night begins to fall;
Oh, would that his manly heart were mine,
And my home were his castle hall."
Brighter anon flashed her bright blue eye,
Rosier blushed her cheeks, I ween,
As, breathless, she heard a war-horse tramp
Through the glade of the forest green.
Then quickly came forth a youthful knight,
Straining his eyes that home to see,
He'd longed for many a watchful hour
By the waters of Galilee.
Suddenly halted the courteous knight,
Bright the glance of his martial eye
Flashed in the light of his manhood's bloom
'Neath the plume of his morion high.
Marvelled he much as the evening rays
Fell on a maid so wondrous rare;
"Art thou a form from the beauty world
Or the fairest of earthly fair?"
"List, warrior, list," the fair maid said;
"Pray thee list a lady's behest.
I've wandered far and lost my way,
And am wearied and fain would rest."
Full lowly he bent his waving plume,
Till it mixed with his horse's mane,
"Where is thy home, dear lady, I ask?
Let me carry thee thither again."
"Knowest thou, brave knight, where the elfin halls
Gleam under skies of purple light,
With their towering domes of chaste opal
Glowing in clouds of crimson bright;
With their waving trees of rarest kind,
Soft'ning sunlight cheering the gloom,
Catching the rays as they hasten by,
Wreathing their tops with golden bloom.
"Last eve, with my maids, I left my home,
Singing our songs in gay refrain;
Seeking wild flowers, I wandered alone
Over hill, over dale, and plain.
Laughingly trod we the dewy mead,
Lit by the rays of the evening star;
But sadly I've spent the weary day,
For, ah me! I have wandered far.'
"I know not thy home," the young knight said,
"Else in honour I'd bear thee there;
Tho' never below the glorious sky
Have I seen one so passing fair.
Much have I mingled in court and camp,
In revel, in tourney and strife,
But never, till now, have mine eyes beheld
A maid I could love as my wife."
Quickly the warrior lighted him down--
"Lady," he said, "my halls are near;
Come to my arms--I'll carry thee home,
And ye shall be my peerless fere."
"Gramercy, my lord," the maiden said;
"Willingly shall I go with thee;
And I'll be to thee a leal, true wife--
_Thou_ shalt be 'all the world to me.'"
Around her form his arms he flung,
To kiss her lips so cherry bright,
But nothing he held, for the sylph-like form
Ethereal prov'd as a stream of light.
"Lady," he said, "this is passing strange!
Thour't there!--I see thy curls of gold,
I see the flash of thy lustrous eyes,
But I cannot thy form enfold."
"My form is of air, so virgin pure
By mortal it cannot be press'd
Till by the cross of his sword he swear
Alone I shall dwell in his breast."
Then he bent him low before the cross,
And he vowed, by all he held dear,
That ever he'd prove her own true lord,
And _only_ she his much loved fere.
"_Now_, come to my arms, thou beauteous fair,"
And he grasped her fondly and fast,
Kissing her lips, grown woman again,
Fearing his joy too great to last.
"I'm thine, only thine, mine own dear lord,
Never again to roam apart;
Oh! let me nestle within thine arms,
Let me live in thine inmost heart."
He lifted her on the saddle-bow
Of his gallant roan, standing near,
And proudly it shook its stately head
As her voice fell soft on its ear.
In triumph it bore them fleetly home;
And the liegemen for years could tell
How the old halls rung with "welcomes home"
To Lord Hay and fair Claribel.
Revelry rang in that castle old,
And oft they pledged him deep and free;
And much they talked of his prowess bold,
And his truth and his braverie.
But more they spoke of his fair, fair bride,
And her beauty so wondrous bright;
Lighting his halls like the sun's first rays
Dispersing the shadows of night.
Long, long did they mourn in Fairyland
For the Princess, dear Claribel;
Long was she missed in revel and court,
In palace and bower and dell.
But oft, when hidden among the flowers,
Watching the lovers in dalliance gay,
The fairy maidens would whisper low,
"Would _we were_ but as Lady Hay!"
A GLOSSARY
TO
_THE GUIDMAN O' INGLISMILL_.
Compiled for the use of English Readers.
A
A wee thocht, _a little_.
Aiblins, _perhaps_.
Ain, _own_.
Aits, _oats_.
A'thegither, _altogether_.
Awe, _owe_.
Ayont, _on the other side_.
B
Bairns, _children_.
Beff, _to strike with a heavy blow_.
Begink, _a trick played on one_; _a misfortune_.
Beik, _bake_; _inflame_.
Ben, _within_.
Birrin' at the wheel, _spinning busily_; birr, _to whirr_.
Boose, _a drinking bout_.
Braid, _broad_.
Brawly, _in good health_.
Breeks, _breeches_.
Breid, _bread_.
Browdenin' on, _thinking fondly of_.
Buik, _bulk_.
Buik, _to give to the session clerk the names of those to be married for
the proclamation of the banns of marriage_.
Bumbees, _humble bees_.
Buskit, _dressed_.
But an' ben, _in every apartment_.
Byehan', _finished_.
Byke, _the hive, or nest of the humble bee_.
Byous, _extraordinary_; _beyond or bye use_.
C
Ca', _call_; _right_.
Cantrips, _wild actions_.
Canty, cantie, _cheerful and pleasant_.
Chaumer, _chamber_.
Chessel, _a cheese-vat_.
Chiels, _men_.
Clean-cap-oot a' roun', _all round the table must drain the glass_.
Clout, _patch_; _mend_.
Coo, _cow_.
Couthie, _kind_.
Cozy, _comfortable_.
Crack, _conversation_.
Crack, in a, _in an instant_.
Crap an' reet, _crop and root_; _the whole of a thing from beginning
to end_.
Crouse, _brisk_; _bold_; _boldly_.
Cuist, _cast_.
Cuttie, _a short spoon made of horn_.
D
Daft, _mad_.
Dawtie, _pet_.
Dazed, _stupified_.
Deaved, _rendered deaf_.
Dee, _die_.
Deed, _indeed_.
Deein', _doing_.
Dellin', _digging with a spade_.
Dinna, _do not_.
Dirdum, _an uproar_; _a loud noise_.
Donnart, _stupid_.
Doo, _dove_.
Douce-lookin', _solemn-looking_.
Dowie, _sick_.
Drappy, _a small quantity_.
Dreepie, _very rainy_.
Dreich, _dreary_; _slow_.
Drucken bite, _a dainty morsel to make the strong drink taste sweeter_.
Drummel'd, _stupified_; _dumfoundered_.
E
Ech, och, _the smallest word or sound_.
Ee, _eye_; _pl._ Een.
Eident, _diligent_.
Eldricht, _wild_; _unearthly_.
F
Fairin', _a present from a fair_.
Fair fa', _may fortune attend_.
Fash'd, _troubled_.
Feckly, _for the most part_.
Fell, _very_.
Fell, _sharp_; _keen_.
Fernyear, _the past year_.
Feshin', _fetching_.
Fidgin', _moving in a fidgety manner_.
Fient, _not_; _a strong negation_. _Corrupted from fiend._
Fire-flaucht, _lightning_.
Fizz, _great hurry_.
Fleechin', _flattering_.
Flichter, _flutter_; _quiver_.
Forebear, _forefather_.
Forbye, _besides_.
Forrit, _forward_.
Fou, _drunk_.
Freely, _wholly_.
Fussled, _whistled_.
Fyke, _vexation_; _trouble_.
G
Gaed on, _went on_.
Gain', _going_.
Gars, _makes_; _causes_; _forces_.
Gaunted, _yawned_.
Gealed, _froze_.
Genty, _neat_.
Geylies, _gaily_; _in good health_; _well_.
Gie, _give_.
Gin, _if_.
Girnin', _groaning_; _complaining peevishly_.
Girss, _grass_.
Greetin'-fou, _in that state of intoxication that induces weeping or
greetin'_.
Grip, _seize_; _hold fast_.
Grow-grey, _of the natural grey colour_; _applied to wool_.
Guid, _good_.
Guid neebours, _fairies_.
Gyte, _out of one's senses_.
H
Haenae, _have not_.
Hairst, _harvest_.
Haith, _faith_; _an oath_.
Hantle, _a large quantity, sum, or number_.
Happit, _covered_.
Happit, _hopped_.
Hardin, _a kind of rough linen_.
Harle, _pull_; _tug_.
Hauds the gait, _holds on the way_.
Hauld, _hold_; _habitation_.
Haulket, _with a white face_; _applied to cattle_.
Hinner, _hinder_.
Hint, _last_.
Hoddlin', _walking with a heaving motion_.
Hoo's a', _how is all, that is, how does all go with you? the mode of
salutation equivalent to "How do you do?"_
Hoosie, _small house_, ie _being the termination of diminutives_.
Hose, _stockings_.
Howf, _ale-house_.
Humeldoddy, _without horns_.
I
Ilk, _every_.
Ithers, _others_.
J
Jowin', _rolling like a wave_.
K
Kelpie, _the water hobgoblin_.
Kenna, _do not know_.
Kent, _knew_.
Kirn, _churn_.
Kirnin' day, _day for making butter_.
Kittle, _attended with constant difficulties_.
L
Lat, _let_.
Lieds, _songs_.
Link at, _to do anything with vigour, as walking_.
Losh, _Lord_; _an exclamation_.
Lugs, _ears_.
M
Mains, _the farmer generally is addressed by the name of his farm_.
Maist, _almost_.
Mak' me boun', _go_.
Mant, _to hesitate_; _stutter_.
Maskin', _mash_.
Maun, _must_.
Meat-hale, _in sound health and with good appetite for food_.
Min, _man_.
Min', _remembrance_.
Mint, _to give a hint_.
Mith, _might_.
Mochy, _moist_; _misty_.
Moulie draps, _small drops_;
nae moulie draps, _not the smallest drop left in the glass_.
Moyen, _to draw forth_.
Moyens, _means_; _plans_;
to lay moyens, _to form plans_; _to use means_.
My certy, _assuredly_; _by my faith_; _a strong assertion_.
My lane, _by myself_; _alone_.
N
Neist, _next_.
Nizz, _nose_.
Nodle, _head_.
Nowt, _cattle_.
O
Ord'nar, _ordinary_.
P
Paumerin', _moving with heavy step in a very stupid manner_.
Ploy, _play_; _frolic_.
Pottie boilin', to keep the, _to keep anything a-going_.
Praise, _God_.
Prinkin', _decking_.
Put an' row, _with the greatest difficulty_.
Pyowtered, _walked with slow, tottering step_.
Q
Quean, _paramour_.
R
Raked up his een, _opened his eyes_.
Rants, _wild frolics_.
Rape, _rope twisted of straw with which the thatch is secured over the
stack_.
Raxin', _stretching_.
Rig an' fur, _ribbed_; _applied to stockings_.
Rippet, _wild tumult_; _boisterous fun_.
Rizzon, _reason_.
Routh, _plenty_; _a large number_.
Rowin', _rolling_.
S
Sair dung, _much overcome_.
Sair'd, _served_; _satisfied_.
Sanna, _shall not_.
Sark, _shirt_.
Saul, _soul_; _an imprecation_.
Saut, _salt_.
Seer, _sure_.
Seerly, _surely_.
Sell, _self_.
Sets, _becomes_.
Shoon, _shoes_.
Siller, _silver_; _applied to money in general_.
Sin', _since_.
Singit, _singed_.
Skail, _separate_.
Skinklin', _falling slightly_.
Skirled, _cried with a shrill voice_.
Sleekit, _sly_.
Smoored, _smothered_.
Snell, _sharp_.
Snod, _neat_.
Sonsie, _plump, and having a pleasant look_.
Soople, _supple_; _flexible_.
Spang, _to walk with a long, quick step_.
Spates, _floods_.
Spates of drink, _drunken bouts_.
Speel, _to run_.
Speen, _spoon_.
Splore, _a wild frolic_.
Squeel, _scream_.
Stan' the session, _appear before the kirk session to satisfy
discipline_.
Starns, _stars_.
Steek, _shut_.
Stendin', _walking with long strides at a quick pace_.
Stirk, _stot_.
Stoup, _measure_.
Sud, _should_.
Sweer, _swear_.
Syne, _then_.
T
Tap to tae, frae, _from top to foot_.
Tappit, _crested_.
Taties, _potatoes_.
Tent, _care_.
Thack, _thatch_.
Thestreen, _last night_.
Thieket, _thatched_.
Thowless, _without vigour_.
Thrang, _strongly bent_.
Tint, _lost_.
Toun, _farm buildings_.
Trigly, _neatly_.
Troke, _small ware_.
Twined, _separated_.
Tynin', _loosing_.
U
Unco, _very_.
Unco sair, _very much_.
V
Vaunty, _given to boasting_.
Vivers, _victuals_.
W
Wale, _best_.
Warld, _world_.
Warnised, _warned_.
Warstles up, _mounts with difficulty_.
Wasna, _was not_.
War', _were_.
Ware, _spend_.
Waukit, _fulled_.
Waur, _overcome_; _adj. worse_.
Wee bit sheltie, _small pony_.
Weet oor mou', _to moisten the mouth_; _applied commonly to the use of
strong drink_.
Whan, _when_.
Whaur, _where_.
Win wi', _accompany_.
Win to, win as far as, _to reach_.
Wis, _was_.
Wowf, _melancholy_.
Wunner, _wonder_.
Wun o'er his lips, _escaped from his lips_.
Y
Yarkit at the wark, _wrought with vigour_.
Yer, _your_.
Yestreen, _last night_.
Yetts, _gates_.
Yill, _ale_.
Yokes wi', _engages in anything_.
_David Scott, Printer, "Sentinel" Office, Peterhead._