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A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 23 |
The horses now turned round, and, deliberately walking up to me, stood still, in spite of all I could do to make them continue the work. After waiting a while they proceeded to wriggle themselves out of the ropes, and galloped off, loudly neighing to each other, and flinging up their disdainful heels so as to send a s... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 24 | It is common knowledge that in the hotter and colder regions men are compelled to live differently, owing to the conditions they are placed in; but we know that everywhere they have the same law of right and wrong inscribed on the heart, and, as you have said, hate a lie; also that they all speak the same language; and... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 25 |
We were again assembled in the great room, the venerable father reclining at his ease on his throne-like couch near the brass globes, while the others pursued their various occupations as on the former evening. Not being able to get near Yoletta, and having nothing to do, I settled myself comfortably in one of the spa... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 26 |
Chapter 10
At length the joyful day arrived when I was to cease, in outward appearance at all events, to be an alien; for returning at noon from the fields, on entering my cell I beheld my beautiful new garments--two complete suits, besides underwear: one, the most soberly colored, intended only for working hours; bu... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 27 |
"Now, Smith, I am going to begin teaching you," said she, with the grave air of a young schoolmistress; "and every afternoon, when your work is done, you must come to me here."
"I hope I am very stupid, and that it will take me a long time to learn," said I.
"Oh"--she laughed--"do you think it will be so pleasant si... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 28 |
That evening I overheard a curious little dialogue. The father of the house, as I had now grown accustomed to call our head, after rising from his seat, stood for a few minutes talking near me, while Yoletta, with her hand on his arm, waited for him to finish. When he had done speaking, and turned to her, she said in ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 29 |
Chapter 11
It seemed to me now that I had never really lived before so sweet was this new life--so healthy, and free from care and regret. The old life, which I had lived in cities, was less in my thoughts on each succeeding day; it came to me now like the memory of a repulsive dream, which I was only too glad to for... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 30 |
* * * * *
In my walks to and from the forest I cast many a wistful look at a solitary flat-topped hill, almost a mountain in height, which stood two or three miles from the house, north of it, on the other side of the river. From its summit I felt sure that a very extensive view of the surrounding country might be ha... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 31 |
I stood up and looked. The sun was near the horizon now, and partially concealed by low clouds, which were beginning to form--gray, and tinged with purple and red; but their misty edges burned with an intense yellow flame. Above, the sky was clear as blue glass, barred with pale-yellow rays, shot forth by the sinking ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 32 |
"What is the rainbow lily?"
"By-and-by, in a few days, it will be in fullest bloom, and the earth will be covered with its glory."
"It is so late in the season, Yoletta! Spring is the time to see the earth covered with the glory of flowers."
"There is nothing to equal the rainbow lily, which comes when most flowers... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 33 |
Chapter 12
The question whether I had reason to feel happy or the reverse still occupied me after going to bed, and kept me awake far into the night. I put it to myself in a variety of ways, concentrating my faculties on it; but the result still remained doubtful. Mine was a curious position for a man to be in; for h... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 34 |
At length, one day when our lesson was over, with an expression of mingled pleasure and anxiety on her face, she rose and took my hand, saying, "Come."
I knew she was going to take me to her mother, and rose to obey her gladly, for since the conversation I had had with her the desire to know the lady of the house had... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 35 |
My steps took me to the river. Following its banks for about a mile, I came at last to a grove of stately old trees, and there I seated myself on a large twisted root projecting over the water. To this sequestered spot I had come to indulge my resentful feelings; for here I could speak out my bitterness aloud, if I fe... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 36 |
Chapter 13
As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them. After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 37 | "To be lifted above the others, when so young; to have one child only; then after so brief a period of happiness, to be smitten with barrenness, and this lingering malady ever gnawing like a canker at the roots of life! Who has suffered like me in the house? You only, Isarte, among the dead. I will go to you, for my gr... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 38 |
Chapter 14
From that day I was frequently allowed to enter the Mother's Room, but, as I had feared, these visits failed to bring me into any closer relationship with the lady of the house. She had indeed forgotten my offense: I was one of her children, sharing equally with the others in her impartial affection, and p... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 39 |
After my walk with Yoletta--if it can be called a walk--I began to look out for the rainbow lilies, and soon discovered that everywhere under the grass they were beginning to sprout from the soil. At first I found them in the moist valley of the river, but very soon they were equally abundant on the higher lands, and ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 40 | On the great stone table, before which the father was seated, lay an open folio, the leaf displayed being only illuminated at the top and inner margin; the colored part at the top I noticed was torn, the rent extending down to about the middle of the page.
Presently the dear girl appeared, with tearful eyes and flushe... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 41 | Each morning one of the men would go out some distance from the house and blow on a horn, which could be heard distinctly two miles away; and presently a number of horses, in couples and troops, would come galloping in, after which they would remain all the morning grazing and gamboling about the house. These horses we... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 42 |
I was about to thank him and turn back, but the thought of Yoletta, to whom each heavy day now seemed a year, oppressed by heart, and I continued standing motionless, with downcast eyes, wishing, yet fearing, to speak.
"Why is your mind troubled, my son?" he said kindly.
"Father," I answered, that word which I now v... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 43 |
Chapter 15
During Yoletta's seclusion, my education was not allowed to suffer, her place as instructress having been taken by Edra. I was pleased with this arrangement, thinking to derive some benefit from it, beyond what she might teach me; but very soon I was forced to abandon all hope of communicating with the imp... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 44 |
"You are like a person suddenly recovered from sickness," she replied. "Your eyes sparkle like sunshine on the water, and your cheeks that were so pallid yesterday burn redder than an autumn leaf." Then, smiling, she added these precious words: "Yoletta will be glad to return to us, more on your account than her own."... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 45 | Pale, and sad too perhaps; and her sweet, soulful eyes--oh, would I now see in them that new light for which I had watched and waited so long?
Then, while I thus mused, I heard, not far off, a slight rustling sound, as of a hare startled at seeing me, and bounding away over the withered leaves; and lifting up my eyes ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 46 |
Chapter 16
The violent fever into which I had fallen did not abate until the third day, when I fell into a profound slumber, from which I woke refreshed and saved. I did not, on awakening, find myself in my own familiar cell, but in a spacious apartment new to me, on a comfortable bed, beside which Edra was seated. A... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 47 |
"My son," said the father, addressing me in a calm, judicial tone which at once put my last remaining hopes to flight, "it is a consolation to us to know that your offense is of such a nature that it cannot diminish our esteem for you, or loosen the bonds of affection which unite you to us. You are still feeble, and p... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 48 |
Chapter 17
My attack of illness, although sharp, had passed off so quickly that I confidently looked to complete restoration to my former vigorous state of health in a very short time. Nevertheless, many days went by, and I failed to recover strength, but remained pretty much in that condition of body in which I had ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 49 | Far back in the old days I had heard, first and last, a great deal about sweetness and light and Philistines, and not quite knowing what this grand question was all about, and hearing from some of my friends that I was without the qualities they valued most, I thereafter proclaimed myself a Philistine, and was satisfie... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 50 | Other darker visions followed: I would see myself as in a magic glass, lying with upturned, ghastly face, with many people about me, hurrying to and fro, wringing their hands and weeping aloud with grief, shuddering at the abhorred sight of blood on their sacred, shining floors; or, worse still, I saw myself shivering ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 51 |
"And yet, my son, I have spoken only to encourage you. I know your limitations, and expect nothing beyond your powers; nor do your errors greatly trouble me, believing as I do that in time you will be able to dismiss them from your mind. But the temper of your mind must be changed to be worthy of the happiness I have ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 52 |
Chapter 18
Chastel's words sank deep in my heart--deeper than words had ever sunk before into that somewhat unpromising soil; and although she had purposely left me in the dark with regard to many important matters, I now resolved to win her esteem, and bind her yet more closely to me by correcting those faults in my... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 53 |
"This one is sleeping also," he said cheerfully, touching the girl's hair with his hand. "But you need not fear, Smith; I think we shall be able to talk very well without waking her."
I had feared something quite different, if he had only known it, and felt considerably relieved by his words; nevertheless, I was not ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 54 | There are among our best instruments peculiar to this house, especially those used chiefly in our harvest music, some of such finely-tempered materials, and of so delicate a construction, that the person wishing to perform on them must not only be inspired with the melodious passion, but the entire system--body and sou... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 55 |
Fortunately, it was not necessary to continue the discussion any longer, for at this juncture one of the watchers from the sick-room came to report that the mother was still sleeping peacefully, hearing which, the father rose to seek a little needful rest in an adjoining room. Before going, however, he proposed, with ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 56 |
Chapter 19
Although deprived for the present of all intercourse with Chastel and Yoletta, now in constant attendance on her mother, I ought to have been happy, for all things seemed conspiring to make my life precious to me. Nevertheless, I was far from happy; and, having heard so much said about reason in my late co... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 57 |
"_The gushing of the wave Far, far away, did seem to mourn and rave On alien shores_";
and so sweet had seemed that pause, that I had hoped and prayed for its continuance. No sooner was I separated from her than the charm dissolved, and all my thoughts, like evening clouds that appear luminous and rich in color until... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 58 |
This bright day was better suited to my complaint. The sun shone as in spring; not a stain appeared on the crystal vault of heaven; everywhere the unfailing grass gave rest to the eye with its verdure; and a light wind blew fresh and bracing in my face, making my pulses beat faster, although feebly still. Remembering ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 59 |
Half-way to the wood, on an open reach where there were no trees or bushes, I came on a great company of storks, half a thousand of them at least, apparently resting on their travels, for they were all standing motionless, with necks drawn in, as if dozing. They were very stately, handsome birds, clear gray in color, ... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 60 | Where are they now--collies, rat-worrying terriers, hounds, spaniels, pointers, retrievers--dogs rough and dogs smooth; big brute boarhounds, St. Bernard's, mastiffs, nearly or quite as big as you are, but not so slender, silky-haired, and sharp-nosed, and without your refined expression of keenness without cunning. An... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 61 |
"What, then, happened to earth, and how long did that undreaming slumber last from which I woke to find things so altered? I do not know, nor does it matter very much. I only know that there has been a sort of mighty Savonarola bonfire, in which most of the things once valued have been consumed to ashes--politics, rel... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 62 | I care for nothing but Yoletta; and if the old world was consumed to ashes that she might be created, I am pleased that it was so consumed; for nobler than all perished hopes and ambitions is the hope that I may one day wear that bright, consummate flower on my bosom."
"I have only one trouble now--a wolf that follows... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 63 | Good-by, old friend, you have been well-behaved and listened with considerable patience to a long discourse. It will benefit you about as much as I have been benefited by many a lecture and many a sermon I was compelled to listen to in the old vanished days."
Bestowing another caress on him I got up and went back to t... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 64 | I even wished to possess the power of some implacable god or demon, that I might shatter the sacred houses of this later race, and destroy them everlastingly, and repeople the peaceful world with struggling, starving millions, as in the past, so that the beautiful flower of love which had withered in men's hearts might... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 65 |
I continued reading, but the above passage was succeeded by minute instructions, extending over several pages, concerning the dress, both for ordinary and extraordinary occasions, to be worn by the chosen daughter during her year of preparation: the conduct to be observed by her towards other members of the family, al... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 66 |
All at once I heard a voice calling my name, and in a moment the tempest in me was stilled. Yes, it was my darling's voice--she was coming to me--she would save me in this dire extremity. Again and again she called, but the voice now sounded further and further away; and with ineffable anguish I remembered that she wo... |
A Crystal Age | W. H. Hudson | 67 | and the waves grew less and the sounds fainter, then fainter still, and died in everlasting silence. |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 0 | The Legend of Montrose was written chiefly with a view to place before the reader the melancholy fate of John Lord Kilpont, eldest son of William Earl of Airth and Menteith, and the singular circumstances attending the birth and history of James Stewart of Ardvoirlich, by whose hand the unfortunate nobleman fell.
Our ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 1 |
It is with mingled pleasure and shame that I record the more important error, of having announced as deceased my learned acquaintance, the Rev. Dr. Grahame, minister of Aberfoil.--See ROB ROY, p.360. I cannot now recollect the precise ground of my depriving my learned and excellent friend of his existence, unless, lik... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 2 |
The above quotation is taken from a work which the author repeatedly consulted while composing the following sheets, and which is in great measure written in the humour of Captain Dugald Dalgetty. It bears the following formidable title:--“MONRO his Expedition with the worthy Scots Regiment, called MacKeye’s Regiment,... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 3 |
“Heere I will set doun ane accident befell me; for thogh it was not a very strange one, yet it was a very od one in all its parts. My tuo brigads lay in a village within halfe a mile of Applebie; my own quarter was in a gentleman’s house, ho was a Ritmaster, and at that time with Sir Marmaduke; his wife keepd her cham... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 4 | I have often heard that the eating or gnawing of cloths by rats is ominous, and portends some mischance to fall on those to whom the cloths belong. I thank God I was never addicted to such divinations, or heeded them. It is true, that more misfortunes then one fell on me shortlie after; bot I am sure I could have bette... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 5 |
POSTSCRIPT.
While these pages were passing through the press, the author received a letter from the present Robert Stewart of Ardvoirlich, favouring him with the account of the unhappy slaughter of Lord Kilpont, differing from, and more probable than, that given by Bishop Wishart, whose narrative infers either insani... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 6 |
Sergeant More M’Alpin was, during his residence among us, one of the most honoured inhabitants of Gandercleugh. No one thought of disputing his title to the great leathern chair on the “cosiest side of the chimney,” in the common room of the Wallace Arms, on a Saturday evening. No less would our sexton, John Duirward,... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 7 | For two years previous to the emigration, when the night wind howled dawn the pass of Balachra, its notes were distinctly modelled to the tune of “HA TIL MI TULIDH” (we return no more), with which the emigrants usually bid farewell to their native shores. The uncouth cries of the Southland shepherds, and the barking of... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 8 |
III. A LEGEND OF MONTROSE.
CHAPTER I.
Such as do build their faith upon The holy text of pike and gun, Decide all controversies by Infallible artillery, And prove their doctrine orthodox, By apostolic blows and knocks.--BUTLER.
It was during the period of that great and bloody Civil War which agitated Britain durin... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 9 | Neither have we begun to use a military expedition to England as a mean for compassing those our pious ends, until all other means which we could think upon have failed us: and this alone is left to us, ULTIMUM ET UNICUM REMEDIUM, the last and only remedy.”
Leaving it to casuists to determine whether one contracting p... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 10 |
CHAPTER II.
His mother could for him as cradle set Her husband’s rusty iron corselet; Whose jangling sound could hush her babe to rest, That never plain’d of his uneasy nest; Then did he dream of dreary wars at hand, And woke, and fought, and won, ere he could stand.--HALL’S SATIRES
|
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 11 |
It was towards the close of a summer’s evening, during the anxious period which we have commemorated, that a young gentleman of quality, well mounted and armed, and accompanied by two servants, one of whom led a sumpter horse, rode slowly up one of those steep passes, by which the Highlands are accessible from the Low... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 12 | the Lion of the North, and under many other heroic leaders, both Lutheran and Calvinist, Papist and Arminian.”
|
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 13 |
After exchanging a word or two with his domestics, the younger gentleman replied, “I should be glad, sir, to have some conversation with you upon so interesting a question, and should be proud if I can determine you in favour of the cause I have myself espoused. I ride this evening to a friend’s house not three miles ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 14 |
“Indifferent well,” said the Captain--“very indifferent well. I cannot say that the Emperor paid much better than the great Gustavus. For hard knocks, we had plenty of them. I was often obliged to run my head against my old acquaintances, the Swedish feathers, whilk your honour must conceive to be double-pointed stake... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 15 | And hearing at this time, to my exceeding satisfaction, that there is something to be doing this summer in my way in this my dear native country, I am come hither, as they say, like a beggar to a bridal, in order to give my loving countrymen the advantage of that experience which I have acquired in foreign parts. So yo... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 16 |
CHAPTER III.
For pleas of right let statesmen vex their head, Battle’s my business, and my guerdon bread; And, with the sworded Switzer, I can say, The best of causes is the best of pay.--DONNE.
The difficulty and narrowness of the road had by this time become such as to interrupt the conversation of the travellers,... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 17 |
Anderson, the domestic who had before spoken now respectfully addressed his master.--“I think, my lord,” he said, “that, under your lordship’s favour, I could say something to remove Captain Dalgetty’s second objection also. He asks us where we are to collect our pay; now, in my poor mind, the resources are as open to... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 18 |
CHAPTER IV.
Once on a time, no matter when, Some Glunimies met in a glen; As deft and tight as ever wore A durk, a targe, and a claymore, Short hose, and belted plaid or trews, In Uist, Lochaber, Skye, or Lewes, Or cover’d hard head with his bonnet; Had you but known them, you would own it.--MESTON.
A hill was now b... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 19 |
From a side-door in the hall glided a Highlander into the apartment, whose lofty stature and complete equipment, as well as the eagle’s feather in his bonnet, and the confidence of his demeanour, announced to be a person of superior rank. He walked slowly up to the table, and made no answer to Lord Menteith, who, addr... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 20 | When the Germans insulted a Scotch regiment then besieged in Trailsund, saying they heard there was a ship come from Denmark to them laden with tobacco pipes, “One of our soldiers,” says Colonel Robert Munro, “showing them over the work a morgenstern, made of a large stock banded with iron, like the shaft of a halberd,... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 21 |
“You must have heard,” said Sir Christopher Hall, “that our fine undertaking in Cumberland is all blown up. The militia would not march into Scotland, and your prick-ear’d Covenanters have been too hard for our friends in the southern shires. And so, understanding there is some stirring work here, Musgrave and I, rath... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 22 |
CHAPTER V.
Thareby so fearlesse and so fell he grew, That his own syre and maister of his guise Did often tremble at his horrid view; And if for dread of hurt would him advise, The angry beastes not rashly to despise, Nor too much to provoke; for he would learne The lion stoup to him in lowly wise, (A lesson hard,) a... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 23 |
Notwithstanding the proverbial epicurism of the English,--proverbial, that is to say, in Scotland at the period,--the English visitors made no figure whatever at the entertainment, compared with the portentous voracity of Captain Dalgetty, although that gallant soldier had already displayed much steadiness and pertina... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 24 |
Their landlord ushered them in person to a sort of sleeping gallery, in which there was a four-post bed, with tartan curtains, and a number of cribs, or long hampers, placed along the wall, three of which, well stuffed with blooming heather, were prepared for the reception of guests.
“I need not tell your lordship,” ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 25 |
“If you care to hear a long story,” said Lord Menteith, “at this time of night, I can tell you how the circumstances of Allan’s birth account so well for his singular character, as to put such satisfaction entirely out of the question.”
“A long story, my lord,” said Captain Dalgetty, “is, next to a good evening draug... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 26 |
“And that I have,” said the Captain, exerting himself to answer the appeal. “Before I left the Mareschal-College of Aberdeen, Dugald Garr was playing the devil in the Garioch, and the Farquharsons on Dee-side, and the Clan Chattan on the Gordons’ lands, and the Grants and Camerons in Moray-land. And since that, I have... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 27 |
“By no means,” answered the soldier; “I am no whit somnolent; I always hear best with my eyes shut. It is a fashion I learned when I stood sentinel.”
“And I daresay,” said Lord Menteith, aside to Anderson, “the weight of the halberd of the sergeant of the rounds often made him open them.”
Being apparently, however, ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 28 |
“If you mean the ears of that snorting swine, my lord,” said Anderson, “they are, indeed, shut to anything that you can say; nevertheless, this place being unfit for more private conference, I hope you will have the goodness to proceed, for Sibbald’s benefit and for mine. The history of this poor young fellow has a de... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 29 |
“Do you talk of the second sight, or DEUTERO-SCOPIA?” said the soldier; “I remember memorable Major Munro telling me how Murdoch Mackenzie, born in Assint, a private gentleman in a company, and a pretty soldier, foretold the death of Donald Tough, a Lochaber man, and certain other persons, as well as the hurt of the m... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 30 |
Donald now re-entered, his visage considerably lengthened--“The tell’s i’ the folk,” he said; “the haill Hielands are asteer, I think. Evan Dhu, of Lochiel, will be here in an hour, with Lord kens how many gillies.”
“Into the great barn with them beside the M’Donalds,” said the Laird.
More and more chiefs were annou... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 31 |
All accompanied their hospitable landlord excepting only Lord Menteith, who lingered in one of the deep embrasures formed by the windows of the hall. Annot Lyle shortly after glided into the room, not ill described by Lord Menteith as being the lightest and most fairy figure that ever trode the turf by moonlight. Her ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 32 | of Glenforgen, which, although submitted to the fetters of English rhythm, we trust will be found nearly as genuine as the version of Ossian by his celebrated namesake.
“Birds of omen dark and foul, Night-crow, raven, bat, and owl, Leave the sick man to his dream-- All night long he heard your scream-- Haste to cave a... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 33 |
As the strain proceeded, Allan M’Aulay gradually gave signs of recovering his presence of mind, and attention to the objects around him. The deep-knit furrows of his brow relaxed and smoothed themselves; and the rest of his features, which had seemed contorted with internal agony, relapsed into a more natural state. W... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 34 | drawn up within the bounding walls of an ancient and rugged fortress;--flash after flash--platoon after platoon--the hostile shot fell amongst them, They dropped like the dry leaves in autumn, but you were not among their ranks;--scaffolds were prepared--blocks were arranged, saw-dust was spread--the priest was ready ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 35 |
The Chieftains meanwhile had assembled in close conclave in the great hall of the castle. Among them were the persons of the greatest consequence in the Highlands, some of them attracted by zeal for the royal cause, and many by aversion to that severe and general domination which the Marquis of Argyle, since his risin... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 36 | Simple and rude as we may be deemed, we know something of the established rules of war, as well as of the laws of our country; nor will we arm ourselves against the general peace of Scotland, unless by the express commands of the King, and under a leader fit to command such men as are here assembled.”
“Where would you... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 37 |
CHAPTER VIII.
Our plot is a good plot as ever was laid; our friends true and constant: a good plot, good friends, and full of expectation: an excellent plot, very good friends.--HENRY IV Part I.
No sooner had the general acclamation of joyful surprise subsided, than silence was eagerly demanded for reading the royal... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 38 |
The Captain’s lecture upon tactics was here suddenly interrupted by Allan M’Aulay, who said, hastily,--“Room for an unexpected and unwelcome guest!”
At the same moment, the door of the hall opened, and a grey-haired man, of a very stately appearance, presented himself to the assembly. There was much dignity, and even... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 39 |
“The devil a musician have I,” answered M’Aulay, “excepting the piper, who has nearly broke his wind by an ambitious contention for superiority with three of his own craft; but I can send Annot Lyle and her harp.” And he left the apartment to give orders accordingly.
Meanwhile a warm discussion took place, who should... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 40 |
At the door of the stable, for Gustavus always claimed his first care,--he met Angus M’Aulay and Sir Miles Musgrave, who had been looking at his horse; and, after praising his points and carriage, both united in strongly dissuading the Captain from taking an animal of such value with him upon his present very fatiguin... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 41 |
CHAPTER IX.
. . . . In a rebellion, When what’s not meet, but what must be, was law, Then were they chosen, in a better hour, Let what is meet be said it must be meet, And throw their power i’ the dust.--CORIOLANUS. In a small apartment, remote from the rest of the guests assembled at the castle, Sir Duncan Campbell ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 42 | The freedom of a Highland maiden was in her step and in her eye; for, bred up in the closest intimacy with the Laird of M’Aulay and his brother, with Lord Menteith, and other young men who frequented Darnlinvarach, she possessed none of that timidity which a female, educated chiefly among her own sex, would either have... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 43 |
THE ORPHAN MAID.
November’s hail-cloud drifts away, November’s sunbeam wan Looks coldly on the castle grey, When forth comes Lady Anne.
The orphan by the oak was set, Her arms, her feet, were bare, The hail-drops had not melted yet, Amid her raven hair.
“And, Dame,” she said, “by all the ties That child and mother ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 44 |
The admirers of pure Celtic antiquity, notwithstanding the elegance of the above translation, may be desirous to see a literal version from the original Gaelic, which we therefore subjoin; and have only to add, that the original is deposited with Mr. Jedediah Cleishbotham.
LITERAL TRANSLATION.
The hail-blast had dri... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 45 |
CHAPTER X.
Dark on their journey lour’d the gloomy day, Wild were the hills, and doubtful grew the way; More dark, more gloomy, and more doubtful, show’d The mansion, which received them from the road. --THE TRAVELLERS, A ROMANCE.
Angus M’Aulay was charged with a message which he seemed to find some difficulty in co... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 46 |
Sir Duncan Campbell, therefore, rather shunned the Highlands, and falling into the Low-country, made for the nearest seaport in the vicinity, where he had several half-decked galleys, or birlings, as they were called, at his command. In one of these they embarked, with Gustavus in company, who was so seasoned to adven... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 47 | For, Sir Duncan, if it pleases you to notice, your house is overcrowed, and slighted, or commanded, as we military men say, by yonder round hillock to the landward, whereon an enemy might stell such a battery of cannon as would make ye glad to beat a chamade within forty-eight hours, unless it pleased the Lord extraord... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 48 |
CHAPTER XI.
Is this thy castle, Baldwin? Melancholy Displays her sable banner from the donjon, Darkening the foam of the whole surge beneath. Were I a habitant, to see this gloom Pollute the face of nature, and to hear The ceaseless sound of wave, and seabird’s scream, I’d wish me in the hut that poorest peasant E’er... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 49 |
Dalgetty saw himself under the necessity of following the hint, though the hour was early; but, like a skilful general, he availed himself of every instant of delay which circumstances permitted. “Trusting to your honourable parole,” said he, filling his cup, “I drink to you, Sir Duncan, and to the continuance of your... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 50 | After complying with the hospitable hint of the chamberlain, the soldier proceeded to take horse. In passing through the apartments, he observed that domestics were busily employed in hanging the great hall with black cloth, a ceremony which, he said, he had seen practised when the immortal Gustavus Adolphus lay in sta... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 51 |
CHAPTER XII.
For close designs and crooked counsels fit, Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless, unfix’d in principle and place, In power unpleased, impatient in disgrace. --ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL.
The village of Inverary, now a neat country town, then partook of the rudeness of the seventeenth century, in ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 52 |
Dalgetty dismounted from his horse at the gateway, and Gustavus was taken from him without his being permitted to attend him to the stable, according to his custom.
This gave the soldier a pang which the apparatus of death had not conveyed.--“Poor Gustavus!” said he to himself, “if anything but good happens to me, I ... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 53 |
The Marquis looked slightingly at the signed and sealed paper which Captain Dalgetty handed to him, and, throwing it with contempt upon a table, asked those around him what he deserved who came as the avowed envoy and agent of malignant traitors, in arms against the state?
“A high gallows and a short shrift,” was the... |
A Legend of Montrose | Walter Scott | 54 |
CHAPTER XIII.
Whatever stranger visits here, We pity his sad case, Unless to worship he draw near The King of Kings--his Grace. --BURNS’S EPIGRAM ON A VISIT TO INVERARY.
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