Just as the minstrel sounds were stayed,
A stranger climbed the steepy glade;
His martial step, his stately mien, 375
His hunting suit of Lincoln green,
His eagle glance, remembrance claims--
'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, 'tis James Fitz-James.
Ellen beheld as in a dream,
Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream 380
"Oh, stranger! in such hour of fear,
What evil hap has brought thee here?"
"An evil hap how can it be
That bids me look again on thee?
By promise bound, my former guide 385
Met me betimes this morning tide,
And marshaled, over bank and bourne,
The happy path of my return."
"The happy path!--what! said he nought
Of war, of battle to be fought, 390
Of guarded pass?" "No, by my faith!
Nor saw I ought could augur scathe."
"O haste thee, Allan, to the kern,
--Yonder his tartans I discern;
Learn thou his purpose, and conjure 395
That he will guide the stranger sure!
What prompted thee, unhappy man?
The meanest serf in Roderick's clan
Had not been bribed by love or fear,
Unknown to him to guide thee here." 400