Glen. A nimble courier sent from yonder camp, To hasten up the chieftains of the north, Inform'd me as he pass'd, that the fierce Dane Had on the eastern coast of Lothian landed, "Near to that place where the sea rock immense, "" Amazing bass, looks o'er a fertile land. "Lady R. Then must this western army march to join 300 "The warlike troops that guard Edena's tow'rs. "Glen. Beyond all question. If impairing time "Has not effac'd the image of a place, "Once perfect in my breast, there is a wild "Vi hich lies to westward of that mighty rock, "And seems by nature formed for the camp "Of water-wafted armies, whose chief strength "Lies in firm foot, unflank'd with warlike horse : "If martial skill directs the Danish lords, "There inaccessible their army lies "To our swift-scow'ring horse, the bloody field "Must man to man, and foot to foot be fought." Lady R. How many mothers shall bewail their sons! How many widows weep their husbands slain ! Ye dames of Denmark, ev'n for you I feel. Who, sadly sitting on the sea-beat shore, Long look for lords that never shall return. Glen. Oft has th' unconquer'd Caledonian sword Widow'd the north. The children of the slain Come, as I hope, to meet their father's fate. The monster war, with her infernal brood, Loud-yelling fury and life-ending pain, 820 Are objects suited to Glenalvon's soul. I own thy worth, Glenalvon; none more apt Glen. One instant stay, and hear an alter'd man. 340 Lady R. A&t thus, Glenalvon, and I am thy friend: But that's thy least reward. Believe me, sir, The truly generous is the truly wise; And he who loves not others lives unblest. [Exit Lady RANDOLPH. Glen. [solus.] Amen! and virtue is its own reward! I think that I have hit the very tone In which she loves to speak. Honey'd assent, And woman also! flattery direct Rarely disgusts. They little know mankind Whilst she and Randolph live, and live in faith "Fate o'er my head suspends disgrace and death, "I am not idle; but the ebbs and flows "Of fortune's tide cannot be calculated.” That slave of Norval's I have found most apt: Norval, I'm told, has that alluring look, 'Twixt man and woman, which I have observ'd Who are, like lady Randolph, full of virtue. 360 Right F ACTIV. SCENE 1. Flourish of Trumpets. Enter Lord RANDOLPH attended Lord Randolph. SUMMON an hundred horse, by break of day, Enter Lady RANDOLPH. Lady R. Alas, my Lord! I've heard unwelcome news; The Danes are landed. Lord R. Ay, no inroad this Of the Northumbrian bent to take a spoil : Of some young knight resolv'd to break a spear, The Danes are landed: we must beat them back, Lady R. Dreadful times! Lord R. The fenceless villages are all forsaken; The trembling mothers, and their children lodg'd In wall-girt towers and castles; whilst the men Retire indignant. Yet, like broken waves, They but retire more awful to return. Lady R. Immense, as fame reports, the Danish host! Lord R. Were it as numerous as loud fame reports, An army knit like ours would pierce it through: 20 г Brothers, that shrink not from each other's side, And the poor peasant mates his daring lord. Lady R. Men's minds are temper'd, like their swords, for war ; "Lovers of danger, on destruction's brink "They joy to rear erect their daring forms. "Hence, early graves; hence, the lone widow's life; "And the sad mother's grief-embitter'd age." Where is our gallant guest? Lord R. Down in the vale I left him, managing a fiery steed, Whose stubbornness had foil'd the strength and skill Enter NORVAL and GLENALVON. Glenalvon! with the lark arise; go forth, Norval, thou goest with me. camp: 40 But say, young man ! Where didst thou learn so to discourse of war, And in such terms, as I o'erheard to day ? A language taught amongst the shepherd swains. Nor. Small is the skill my Lord delights to praise |