Beside its embers red and clear Basked in his plaid a mountaineer;And up he sprung with sword in hand,--
'Thy name and purpose! Saxon, stand!'
'A stranger.' 'What cost thou require?'
'Rest and a guide, and food and fire My life's beset, my path is lost, The gale has chilled my limbs with frost.'
'Art thou a friend to Roderick?' 'No.'
'Thou dar'st not call thyself a foe?'
'I dare! to him and all the band He brings to aid his murderous hand.'
'Bold words!--but, though the beast of game The privilege of chase may claim, Though space and law the stag we lend Ere hound we slip or bow we bend Who ever recked, where, how, or when, The prowling fox was trapped or slain?
Thus treacherous scouts,--yet sure they lie Who say thou cam'st a secret spy!'--'They do, by heaven!--come Roderick Dhu And of his clan the boldest two And let me but till morning rest, I write the falsehood on their crest.'
If by the blaze I mark aright Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight.'
'Then by these tokens mayst thou know Each proud oppressor's mortal foe.'
'Enough, enough; sit down and share A soldier's couch. a soldier 's fare.'
