THE AVENGED BRIDE.

CANTO II.

I.

WITHIN Dunluce's halls the lamps are bright, And peals of mirth are echoed all around; And from her lattices burst gleams of lightJoy uncontroll❜d and pleasures here abound: The broad flag waves upon the tower's height, And pipe and tabret join in merry sound; With looks benign, the hoary minstrels come

Loud shrieks the fife, and hoarsely rolls the drum.

II.

On hill and mound, extending far and high,

Numerous and bright the fires of welcome blazed; While rock and cliff, to the rejoicing cry Loudly respond-the welkin stood amazed, And deafening shouts rent the astonish'd sky— For Joy's unfetter'd standard high was raised, And, unconstrain'd, o'er all waved free and wideMacquillan's heir to-night brought home his bride.

III.

Knights, Squires, and Nobles, all had gather'd now, And courtly dames, with hearts as pure as free; And joy unsullied sat on every brow

Now mirth grew loud, and song, and revelry— Before whose shrine young hearts with ardour bow:

Along the hall the strains of minstrelsy,

In liquid notes, pour'd their voluptuous swell-
Why stops the dance? Hark to th' alarum bell!

IV.

A death-like silence reign'd a moment there→
All stood like statues, motionless and still
Each fix'd on each a wild, inquiring stare—

The mantling current of the heart grew chill:
As if that knell had menaced black Despair,

And shook each breast with its electric thrill; And all seem'd wrapp'd with horrible suspense, In expectation, breathless and intense.

V.

So shook the revellers in Brussels' hall,

When, once again to mount the sithed car,

Rush'd forth the reunited sons of Gaul,

With all the deep-mouth'd thundering of war—

Where those who brightly smil'd were doom'd to fall: For sighs and tears from pleasure stand not far;

And they who dream secure amidst excess,

May wake to misery, danger, and distress.

F

VI.

Through tower and porch, in thrilling echoes, rung
The warder's loud and long continued peal—
And swift the watchword flew the guards among,
"To arms-to arms!" with wild impatient zeal;
Th' astonish'd chieftains to the portals sprung—

Alas! those looks the dreadful cause reveal

The knowledge wish'd, though fear'd, arrives-doubt's o'er; "Arm, arm, and out!-the Scots approach the shore !"

VII.

And here a scene of wild confusion rose,

Where late on Peace's stem but Pleasure grew, Water'd and fed by that pure stream that flows From the heart's fountain, Love's reviving dew;

Here bosoms throbb'd in agonizing throes—

Lips clung to lips in long and sad adieu—

The bravest heart at that fell crisis feels

Pangs which his sterner manhood scarce conceals.