And roused the cavern, where 'tis told A giant made his den of old; For ere that steep ascent was won, High in his path-way hung the sun, And many a gallant, stayed per-force, Was fain to breathe his faultering horse; And of the trackers of the deer Scarce half the lessening pack was near; So shrewdly, on the mountain side, Had the bold burst their mettle tried. V. The noble Stag was pausing now, Upon the mountain's southern brow, And pondered refuge from his toil, But nearer was the copse-wood gray, Fresh vigour with the hope returned, And left behind the panting chase. VI. "Twere long to tell what steeds gave o❜er, As swept the hunt through Cambus-more; What reins were tightened in despair, When rose Benledi's ridge in air; Who flagged upon Bochastle's heath, Who shunned to stem the flooded Teith, For twice, that day, from shore to shore, The gallant Stag swam stoutly o'er. And when the Brigg of Turk was won, The headmost Horseman rode alone. VII. Alone, but with unbated zeal, That horseman plied the scourge and steel; For, jaded now, and spent with toil, Embossed with foam, and dark with soil, While every gasp with sobs he drew, The labouring Stag strained full in view. Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed, Fast on his flying traces came, And all but won that desperate game; For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, Vindictive toiled the blood-hounds staunch; Nor nearer might the dogs attain, Nor farther might the quarry strain. Thus up the margin of the lake, Between the precipice and brake, O'er stock and rock their race they take. VIII. The hunter marked that mountain high, The lone lake's western boundary, And deemed the Stag must turn to bay, Already glorying in the prize, Measured his antlers with his eyes; For the death-wound, and death-halloo, Then, dashing down a darksome glen, Soon lost to hound and hunter's ken, In the deep Trosach's wildest nook His solitary refuge took. There while, close couched, the thicket shed Cold dews and wild flowers on his head, He heard the baffled dogs in vain Rave through the hollow pass amain, Chiding the rocks that yelled again. IX. Close on the hounds the hunter came, |