Now nearer yet, through mist and storm,
Dimly arose the Castle's form,

And deepen'd shadow made,

Far lengthen'd on the main below,
Where, dancing in reflected glow,

An hundred torches play'd,

Spangling the wave with lights as vain
As pleasures in this vale of pain,

That dazzle as they fade.

XXIV.

Beneath the Castle's sheltering lee,

They staid their course in quiet sea.

Hewn in the rock a passage there

Sought the dark fortress by a stair

So strait, so high, so steep,

With peasant's staff one valiant hand

Might well the dizzy pass have mann'd,

'Gainst hundreds arm'd with spear and brand, And plunged them in the deep.

1

His bugle then the helmsman wound;

Loud answer'd every echo round,

From turret, rock, and bay,

The postern's hinges crash and groan,

And soon the warder's cresset shone

On those rude steps of slippery stone,
To light the upward way.

"Thrice welcome, holy Sire!" he said;
"Full long the spousal train have staid,
And, vex'd at thy delay,

Fear'd lest, amidst these wildering seas,

The darksome night and freshening breeze

Had driven thy bark astray."

XXV.

"Warder,” the younger stranger said,
"Thine erring guess some mirth had made
In mirthful hour; but nights like these,
When the rough winds wake western seas,

Brook not of glee. We crave some aid
And needful shelter for this maid

Until the break of day;

For, to ourselves, the deck's rude plank

Is easy as the mossy bank

That's breathed upon by May.

And for our storm-toss'd skiff we seek

Short shelter in this leeward creek,

Prompt when the dawn the east shall streak

Again to bear away."

Answered the Warder, " In what name

Assert ye hospitable claim?

Whence come, or whither bound?

Hath Erin seen your parting sails?

Or come ye on Norweyan gales?

And seek ye England's fertile vales,

Or Scotland's mountain ground?"— "Warriors for other title none

For some brief space

we
list to own,

Bound by a vow-warriors are we;

In strife by land, and storm by sea,

We have been known to fame;

C

And these brief words have import dear,

When sounded in a noble ear,

To harbour safe, and friendly cheer,

That gives us rightful claim.

Grant us the trivial boon we seek,

And we in other realms will speak

Fair of your courtesy ;

Deny-and be your niggard Hold

Scorn'd by the noble and the bold,
Shunn'd by the pilgrim on the wold,

And wanderer on the lea !"

XXVII.

"Bold stranger, no-'gainst claim like thine,

No bolt revolves by hand of mine,

Though urged in tone that more express'd

A monarch than a suppliant guest.

Be what ye will, Artornish Hall

On this glad eve is free to all.

'Gainst our ally, great England's Lord,

Or mail upon your shoulders borne,

To battle with the Lord of Lorn,

Or, outlaw'd, dwelt by greenwood tree
With the fierce Knight of Ellerslie,
Or aided even the murderous strife,
When Comyn fell beneath the knife
Of that fell homicide The Bruce,

This night had been a term of truce.—
Ho, vassals! give these guests your care,
And shew the narrow postern stair."-

XXVIII.

To land these two bold brethren leapt,

(The weary crew their vessel kept)

And, lighted by the torches' flare,

That seaward flung their smoky glare,
The younger knight that maiden bare

Half lifeless up the rock;