Poetry > Lady of the lake

Canto IV,
THE PROPHECY.
163
King James, the while, with princely powers.
Holds revelry in Stirling towers.
Soon will this dark and gathering cloud
Speak on our glens in thunder loud.
Inured to hide such bitter bout,
The warrior’s plaid may bear it out;
But, Norman, how wilt thou provide
A shelter for thy bonny bride ? ”—
“ What! know ye not that Roderick’s care
To the lone isle hath caused repair
Each maid and matron of the clan,
• •
And every child and aged man
Unfit for arms ; and given his charge,
Nor skiff nor shallop, boat nor barge,
Upon these lakes shall float at large,
But all beside the islet moor,
That such dear pledge may rest secure ?
IY.
“ ’Tis well advised—the Chieftain’s plan5
Bespeaks the father of his clan.
But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu
Apart from all his followers true ?”—
“ It is, because last evening-tide
Brian an augury hath tried,
Of that dread kind which must not be
Unless in dread extremity,
1 [MS.—“ ’Tis well advised—a prudent plan,
Worthy the father of his clan.’’]