That aged harper and the girl,

And, having audience of the Earl,
Mar bade I should purvey them steed,
And bring them hitherward with speed.
Forbear your mirth and rude alarm,

For none shall do them shame or harm."-
"Hear ye his boast!" cried John of Brent,
Ever to strife and jangling bent;

"Shall he strike doe beside our lodge,

And yet the jealous niggard grudge

To pay the forester his fee!

I'll have my share howe'er it be,
Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee."-
Bertram his forward step withstood;
And, burning in his vengeful mood,
Old Allan, though unfit for strife,
Laid hand upon his dagger-knife;

But Ellen boldly stepp'd between,
And dropp'd at once the tartan screen:-
So, from his morning cloud, appears

The sun of May, through summer tears.

The savage soldiery, amazed,

As on descended angel gazed;

Even hardy Brent, abash'd and tamed,

Stood half admiring, half ashamed.

VIII.

Boldly she spoke," Soldiers, attend! My father was the soldier's friend; Cheer'd him in camps, in marches led, And with him in the battle bled.

Not from the valiant, or the strong, Should exile's daughter suffer wrong."Answer'd De Brent, most forward still In every feat or good or ill,

"I shame me of the part I play'd:

And thou an outlaw's child, poor maid! An outlaw I by forest laws,

And

merry Needwood knows the cause. Poor Rose,-if Rose be living now,"

He wiped his iron eye and brow,

"Must bear such age, I think, as thou.—

Hear ye, my mates;-I go to call
The Captain of our watch to hall:
There lies my halbert on the floor;
And he that steps my halbert o'er,
To do the maid injurious part,

My shaft shall quiver in his heart !—
Beware loose speech, or jesting rough:
Ye all know John de Brent. Enough."-

IX.

Their Captain came, a gallant young,-
(Of Tullibardine's house he sprung,)
Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight;
Gay was his mien, his humour light,
And, though by courtesy controul'd,
Forward his speech, his bearing bold.
The high-born maiden ill could brook
The scanning of his curious look
And dauntless eye;—and yet, in sooth,
Young Lewis was a generous youth;

But Ellen's lovely face and mien,

Ill suited to the garb and scene,
Might lightly bear construction strange,
And give loose fancy scope to range.
"Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid!
Come ye to seek a champion's aid,'
On palfrey white, with harper hoar,
Like arrant damosel of yore?

Does thy high quest a knight require,

Or

may the venture suit a squire?"—

Her dark eye flash'd ;-she paused and sigh'd,-"O what have I to do with pride!—

-Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife,
A suppliant for a father's life,

I crave an audience of the King.
Behold, to back my suit, a ring,
The royal pledge of grateful claims,

Given by the Monarch to Fitz-James."

X.

The signet ring young Lewis took,

With deep respect and alter'd look ;
And said," This ring our duties own;
And, pardon, if to worth unknown,

In semblance mean obscurely veil'd,
Lady, in aught my folly fail'd.

Soon as the day flings wide his gates,
The King shall know what suitor waits.
Please you, meanwhile, in fitting bower
Repose you till his waking hour;
Female attendance shall obey

Your hest, for service or array.
Permit I marshal you the way."-
But, ere she follow'd, with the grace
And open bounty of her race,

She bade her slender purse be shared

Among the soldiers of the guard.