This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ...lion of the hunt aware, He waved at once his blade on high, "Disclose thy treachery, or die " Forth at full speed the Clansman flew,2 But in his race his bow he drew. The shaft just grazed Fitz-James's crest, And thrill'd in Blanche's faded breast, --Murdoch of Alpine prove thy speed, For ne'er had Alpine's son such need 1 " No machinery can be conceived more clumsy for effecting the deliverance of a distressed hero, than the introduction of a mad woman, who, without knowing or caring about the wanderer, warns him by a song, to take care of the ambush that was set for him. The maniacs of poetry have indeed had a prescriptive right to be musical, since the days of Ophelia downwards; but it is rather a rash extension of this privilege to make them sing good sense, and to make sensible people be guided by them.'--Jeffrey. 2 MS.--" Forth at full speed the Clansman went; But in his race his bow he bent, Halted--and back an arrow sent." With heart of fire, and foot of wind, The fierce avenger is behind Fate judges of the rapid strife--The forfeit death--the prize is life Thy kindred ambush lies before, Close couch'd upon the heathery moor; Them couldst thou reach --it may not be--1 Thine ambush'd kin thou ne'er shalt see, The fiery Saxon gains on thee --Resistless speeds the deadly thrust, As lightning strikes the pine to dust; With foot and hand Fitz-James must strain, Ere he can win his blade again. Bent o'er the fall'n, with falcon eye,2 He grimly smiled to see him die; Then slower wended back his way, Where the poor maiden bleeding lay. XXVII. She sate beneath the birchen-tree, Her elbow resting on her knee; She had withdrawn the fatal shaft, And gazed on it, and feebly laugh'd; 1 MS. "It may not be--The...