Poetry > Lady of the lake

8 INTRODUCTION TO THE
too favourable a representative of readers at large.
It is, of course, to be supposed, that I determined
rather to guide my opinion by what my friend
might appear to feel, than by what he might
think fit to say. His reception of my recitation,
or prelection, was rather singular. He placed
his hand across his brow, and listened with great
attention through the whole account of the stag-
hunt, till the dogs threw themselves into the
lake to follow their master, who embarks with
Ellen Douglas. He then started up with a sudden
exclamation, struck his hand on the table, and
declared, in a voice of censure calculated for the
occasion, that the dogs must have been totally
ruined by being permitted to take the water after
such a severe chase. I own I was much encou¬
raged by the species of reverie which had possessed
so zealous a follower of the sports of the ancient
Nimrod, who had been completely surprised out
af all doubts of the reality of the tale. Another
of his remarks gave me less pleasure. He de¬
tected the identity of the King with the wandering
knight, Fitz-James, when he winds his bugle to
summon his attendants. Hewas probably thinking