History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

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Appendix.
And peeps he through them like a little nestling —
A little heath-cock broken from its shell,
That through the bloom puts forth its tender beak,
As steals some rustling footstep on his nest?
Come, let me go and look upon him. Soon,
Ere two months more go by, he'll look again
In answer to my looks, as though he knew
The "(vistful face that looks so oft upon him,
And smiles so dearly, is his mother's.
Think'st thou
He'll soon give heed and notice to my love ?
Mosa. I doubt it not: he is a lively infant,
And moves his little limbs with vigor, spreading
His fingers forth, as if in time Ihey would
A good claymore clench bravely.
Ilel. A good claymore clench bravely! 0! to see
him
A man!— a valiant youth!— a noble chieftain!
And laying on his plaided shoulder, thus,
A mother's hand, say proudly, "this is mine! "
I shall not then a lonely stranger be
'Midst those who bless me not. I shall not then—
But silent be my tongue. (Weeps.)
Hosa. Dear madam, still in hope look forward
eheerly.
(Morton comes from the bottom of the stage.)
And here is Morton, with some tidings for you;
God grant they comfort you! — I must withdraw:
His wary faithfulness mistrusts my love.
But I am not otfended. (Offering to retire.)
llel. Nay, remain. (Beckoning her back.)
Say what thou hast to say, my worthy Morton,
For Rosa is as faithful as thyself.
^for. This morning, lady, 'mongst the farther
clifTs,
Dress'd like a fisher peasant, did I see
The lord of Lorn, your brother.
Mel. Ha! say"st thou.
The lord of Lorn, my brother?— Thonr't deceived.
' Mor. No, no; in vain his sordid garb conceal'd
him:
His noble form and stately step I knew
Before he spoke.
Hel. He spoke to thee?
Mor. He did.
Jlel. Was he alone?
Mor. He was j but, near at hand.
Another stranger, noble as himself.
And in like garb disguised, amongst the rocks
I mark'd, though he advanced not.
Hel. Alas, alas, my brother! why is this?
He spoke to thee, thou say'st— I mean my brother:
What did he say!
Mor. He earnestly entreats
To see you privately; and bids you say
When this may be. Meantime, he lies conceal'd
Where I may call him forth at your command.
Mel. O, why disguised?— Thinks't thou he is not
safe?
Mor. Safe in his hiding-place he is: but yet
The sooner he shall leave this coast, the better.
Mel. To see him thus! — O, how I am beset!
Tell him at twilight, in my nurse's chamber,
I will receive him. But be sure thou add.
Himself alone will I receive— alone —
With no companion must he come. Forget not
To say, that I entreat it earnestly.
Mor. I will remember this.
Mel. Go to him quickly then; and, till the hour,
Still do thou hover near him. Watch his haunt,
Lest some rude fisherman or surly hind
Surprise him. — Go thou quickly. O, be prudent!
And be not for a moment off the watch.
Mor. Madam, I will obey you: trust me well.
' (Exit.)
Mel. (Much disturbed.) My brother on the
coast; and with him too,
As well I guess, the man I must not see!
Rosa. Mean you the brave Sir Hubert?
Mel. Yes, my Rosa.
My noble brother in his powerful self
So strong in virtue stands, he thinks full surely
The daughter of his sire no weakness hath ;
And wists not how a simple heart must struggle
To be what it would be— what it must be—
Ay, and, so aid me, heaven! what it shall be.
Eosa. And heaven will aid you, madam, doubt it
not.
Though on this subject still you have repress'd
AU'cominuning, yet, ne'erthcless, I well
Have mark'd your noble striving, and revered
Your silent inward warfare, bravely held;
In this more pressing comliat firm and valiant,
As is your noble brother in the field.
Mel. I thank thee, gentle Rosa; thou art kind—
I should be franker with thee; but I know not—
Something restrains me here.
(Laying her hand on her breast.)
I love and trust thee;
And on thy breast I'll weep when I am sad;
But ask not why I weep. (Exeunt.)
ACT IL
Scene I. — An apartment in titiilight. almost dark: the
door of an inner chamber, standing a little ajar, at
the bottom of the stage.
(Enter John of Lorn and Sir Hcbert de Grey,
di.sguised as peasants.)
De Grey. Nay, stop, I pray; advance we not too
far?
Lorn. Morton hath bid us in this place to wait.
The nurse's chamber is adjoining to it;
And, till her light within give notice, here
Thou may'st remain; when I am call'd, thou'lt
leave me.
Be Grey. Till thou art call'd! and may I stay to
hear
The sweetness of her voice- her footstep's sound;
Perhaps snatch in the torch's hasty light
One momentary vision of that form —
The form that hath to me of earthly make
No fellow? May it be without transgression?
Lorn. Why should'st thou not? Do Grey, thou
art too fearful;
Here art thou come with no dishonest will;
And well she knows thine honor. Her commands.
Though we must yield to them, capricious seem;
Seeing thou art with me, too nicely scrupulous;
And therefore need no farther be obey'd
Than needs must be. She puts thee not on honor.
Were I so used —
De Grey. 'Spite of thy pride, would'st thou
Revere her still the more. -O, no, brave Lorn,
I blame her not. When she, a willing victim.
To spare the blood of two contending clans,