Wyseby

US WVSEBY : A LEGEND
Lora— Ronald's dark-eyed daughter,
Saved alone from kindred slaughter.
And who is she with eye of pride
Alpin's victor chief defying ?
" Oh ! ne'er shall Lora be thy bride,
And Alo's ghost for veangeance crying.
Red murderer, reck thy meed of ill,
Lo ! Alo's Lora scorns thee still."
See, starts in ire, Vich Alpin now
From his red hand the goblet dashing,
The thunder's cloud is on his brow,
Its lightnings from his eyes are flashing :
" And Alo's ghost fit veangeance claims,
For clansman slain, and towers in flames.
" So let them : but fair maiden list,
Warriors ill brook a woman's taunting ;
And tears are fitter arms, I wist,
For captive maids, than haughty vaunting ;
Despite the ghosts of all thy line,
Dark Roaald's Lora, thou art mine."
Ha, see ! a poniard cleaves the air,
From Alpin's breast the red tide's starting ;
He reels — the pangs of death are there :
" Feel, dark spirit, ere departing,
Far Alo's debt of vengeance paid
By Highland Ronald's orphan'd maid."
As the song of the minstrel died, the door at the
end of the hall was thrown open, and Catharine, pale,
very pale, but calm and collected, entered. Sir Ese-
cal followed ; his eyes were unnaturally bright ; his
countenance was wild and haggard. Stately Catha-
rine advanced up the hall ; the warriors rise and bow
respectfully. She is opposite the harper now ; a
half joyful exclamation burst from her lips ; Sir Ese-