And whisper'd, "Bear thou this request,

That when by Bruce's side I fight, For Scotland's crown and freedom's

right,

The princess grace her knight to bear
Some token of her favouring care;
It shall be shown where England's
best

May shrink to see it on my crest.
And for the boy-since weightier care
For royal Bruce the times prepare,
The helpless youth is Ronald's
charge,

His couch my plaid, his fence my targe."

He ceased; for many an eager hand Had urged the barges from the strand. Their number was a score and ten, They bore thrice threescore chosen

men,

With such small force did Bruce at last

The die for death or empire cast!

XII.

Now on the darkening main afloat, Ready and mann'd rocks every boat; Beneath their oars the ocean's might Was dash'd to sparks of glimmering light.

Faint and more faint, as off they bore, Their armour glanced against the shore,

And, mingled with the dashing tide, Their murmuring voices distant

died.

"God speed them!" said the Priest, as dark

On distant billows glides each bark; "O Heaven! when swords for free

dom shine,

And monarch's right, the cause is thine!

Edge doubly every patriot blow!
Beat down the banners of the foe!
And be it to the nations known,
That Victory is from God alone!"
As up the hill his path he drew,
He turn'd his blessings to renew,
Oft turn'd, till on the darken'd coast
All traces of their course were lost;

Impatient aid the labouring oar.
The half-faced moon shone dim and
pale,

And glanced against the whiten'd sail;
But on that ruddy beacon-light
Each steersman kept the helm aright,
And oft, for such the King's com-
mand,

That all at once might reach the strand,

From boat to boat, loud shout and hail

Warn'd them to crowd or slacken sail. South and by west the armada bore, And near at length the Carrick shore. As less and less the distance grows, High and more high the beacon rose; The light, that seem'd a twinkling star,

Now blazed portentous, fierce, and far.

Dark-red the heaven above it glow'd, Dark-red the sea beneath it flow'd, Red rose the rocks on ocean's brim, In blood-red light her islets swim; Wild scream the dazzled sea-fowl gave,

Dropp'd from their crags on plashing

wave.

The deer to distant covert drew,
The black-cock deem'd it day, and

crew.

Like some tall castle given to flame, O'er half the land the lustre came. Now, good my Liege, and brother

sage,

What think ye of mine elfin page?""Row on!" the noble King replied,

"We'll learn the truth whate'er betide;

Yet sure the beadsman and the child Could ne'er have waked that beacon wild."

XIV.

With that the boats approach'd the land,

But Edward's grounded on the sand; The eager Knight leap'd in the sea Waist-deep, and first on shore was he, Though every barge's hardy band Contended which should gain the land,

When that strange light, which, seen afar,

Seem'd steady as the polar star,
Now, like a prophet's fiery chair,
Seem'd travelling the realm of air.
Wide o'er the sky the splendour
glows,

As that portentous meteor rose; Helm, axe, and falchion glitter'd bright,

And in the red and dusky light
His comrade's face each warrior saw,
Nor marvell'd it was pale with awe.
Then high in air the beams were lost,
And darkness sunk upon the coast.-
Ronald to Heaven a prayer address'd,
And Douglas cross'd his dauntless
breast;

"Saint James protect us!" Lennox cried,

But reckless Edward spoke aside, "Deem'st thou, Kirkpatrick, in that flame,

Red Comyn's angry spirit came, Or would thy dauntless heart endure Once make more to

assurance

sure?". "Hush!" said the Bruce, "we soon shall know,

If this be sorcerer's empty show,
Or stratagem of southern foe.
The moon shines out-upon the sand
Let every leader rank his band."

XV.

Faintly the moon's pale beams supply

That ruddy light's unnatural dye;