LOCHINVAR

SIR WALTER SCOTT

Oh, young Lochinvar is come out of the West; Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; And save his good broadsword he weapons had none.

He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. 5 So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,

There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone; He swam the Eske river where ford there was none;

But ere he alighted at Netherby gate,
10 The bride had consented; the gallant came late;

For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war,
Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.

So, boldly he entered the Netherby hall,

'Mong bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all; 15 Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword

(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), "Oh, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?”

"I long wooed your daughter; my suit you denied

I 20 Love swells like the Solway; but ebbs like its tide;

And now I am come, with this lost love of mine
To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”

25 The bride kissed the goblet; the knight took it up;

He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup,

She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar-
"Now tread we a measure!” said young Lochinvar.

5 So stately his form, and so lovely her face,

That never a hall such a galliard did grace;
While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;

And the bride-maidens whispered, " 'Twere better by far
10 To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.”

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear,
When they reached the hall door and the charger stood near;
So light to the croup the fair lady he swung,

So light to the saddle before her he sprung!
15 "She is won! We are gone, over bank, bush, and scar!

They'll have fleet steeds that follow!” quoth young Lochinvar.

There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan; Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran;

There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee; 20 But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see.

So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,
Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?

In his long poem, Marmion, Scott represents Lady Heron as singing the ballad, “Lochinvar," to the accompaniment of the harp. "Lochinvar" is based on the old ballad "Katharine Janfarie.”'

Discussion. 1. What geographical references tell you that the scene of this story is laid in Scotland? 2. What names mentioned do you recognize as Scotch names? 3. Find a line in the first stanza that sums up the character of Lochinvar. 4. Find a line in the second stanza that describes the character of the bridegroom. 5. Find a line in the third stanza that adds to the picture of the bridegroom given in the second stanza. 6. How is the reader affected by the contrast between the two men? 7. Find the question asked by the bride's father. Why was his hand on his sword as he asked it? 8. What impression did Lochinvar give the bride's father by his answer? 9. Do you think Lochinvar was sincere in his response? 10. Describe the picture the sixth stanza makes you see. 11. What did Lochinvar accomplish by means of the dance? 12. What were we told in the first stanza that explains Lochinvar's escape? 13. Who are mentioned as the pursuers? 14. What do you know of the methods of travel and communication before 1800 ? 15. What two kinds of adventure are mentioned in the Introduction on page 95? Which of these kinds does this story narrate? 16. In this poem Scott has imitated the old ballad style; point out some of the passages that show this. 17. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: Border; brake; measure; bar; galliard; bonnet; croup; scar. 18. Pronounce: Lochinvar; dauntless; gallant.

Class Reading. Bring to class and read Longfellow's ballad "The Skeleton in Armor" (in The Elson Readers, Book Seven), noting the similarity of theme.

THE LEAP OF ROUSHAN BEG

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Mounted on Kyrat strong and fleet,
His chestnut steed with four white feet,

Roushan Beg, called Kurroglou,
Son of the road and bandit chief,
5 Seeking refuge and relief,

Up the mountain pathway flew.