Beside its embers red and clear,
Basked, in his plaid, a mountaineer;
And up he sprung with sword in hand--
"Thy name and purpose! Saxon, stand!"
"A stranger." "What dost thou require?" 735
"Rest and a guide, and food and fire.
My life's beset, my path is lost,
The gale has chilled my limbs with frost."
"Art thou a friend to Roderick?" "No."
"Thou darest not call thyself a foe?" 740
"I dare! to him and all the band
He brings to aid his murderous hand."
"Bold words!--but, though the beast of game
The privilege of chase may claim,
Though space and law the stag we lend, 745
Ere hound we slip, or bow we bend,
Who ever recked, where, how, or when,
The prowling fox was trapped or slain?
Thus treacherous scouts--yet sure they lie,
Who say thou camest a secret spy!" 750
"They do, by heaven!--Come Roderick Dhu,
And of his clan the boldest two,
And let me but till morning rest,
I write the falsehood on their crest."
"If by the blaze I mark aright, 755
Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight."
"Then by these tokens may'st thou know
Each proud oppressor's mortal foe."
"Enough, enough; sit down and share
A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." 760