Poetry > Lady of the lake

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THE LADY OF THE LAKE.
Canto I.
In the deep Trosachs’1 wildest nook
His solitary refuge took.
There, while close couch’d, 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 yell’d again.
IX.
Close on the hounds the Hunter came,
To cheer them on the vanished game;
But, stumbling in the rugged dell,
The gallant horse exhausted fell.
The impatient rider strove in vain
To rouse him with the spur and rein,
For the good steed, his labours o’er,
Stretch’d his stiff limbs, to rise no more;
Then, touch’d with pity and remorse,
He sorrow’d o’er the expiring horse.
“ I little thought, when first thy rein
I slack’d upon the hanks of Seine,
That Highland eagle e’er should feed
On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed!
Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day,
That costs thy life, my gallant grey! ”
1 [“ The term Trosachs signifies the rough or bristled territory.**
—Graham.]