Poetry > Lady of the lake

Canto III.
THE GATHERING.
117
The grey mist left1 the mountain side,
The torrent show’d its glistening pride;
Invisible in flecked sky,
The lark sent down her revelry;
The blackbird and the speckled thrush
Good-morrow gave from brake and bush ; “
In answer coo’d the cushat dove
Her notes of peace, and rest, and love.
III.
No thought of peace, no thought of rest,
Assuaged the storm in Roderick’s breast.
With sheathed broadsword in his hand,
Abrupt he paced the islet strand,
And eyed the rising sun, and laid
His hand on his impatient blade.
Beneath a rock, his vassals’ care 3
Was prompt the ritual to prepare,
With deep and deathful meaning fraught;
For such Antiquity had taught
* [MS.—“ The doe awoke, and to the lawn,
Begemm’d with dewdrops, led her fawn ;
Invisible in fleecy cloud,
The lark sent down her matins loud;
The light mist left,” &c.]
J [ “ The green hills
Are clothed with early blossoms; through the grass
The quick-eyed lizard rustles, and the bills
Of summer birds sing welcome as ye pass.”—Childe Harold.]
3 [MS.—“ Hard by, his vassals’ early care
The mystic ritual prepare.”]