He gave him of his Highland cheer, The hardened flesh of mountain deer;Dry fuel on the fire he laid, And bade the Saxon share his plaid.
He tended him like welcome guest, Then thus his further speech addressed:--'Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu A clansman born, a kinsman true;Each word against his honour spoke Demands of me avenging stroke;Yet more,--upon thy fate, 'tis said, A mighty augury is laid.
It rests with me to wind my horn,--
Thou art with numbers overborne;
It rests with me, here, brand to brand, Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand:
But, not for clan, nor kindred's cause, Will I depart from honour's laws;To assail a wearied man were shame, And stranger is a holy name;Guidance and rest, and food and fire, In vain he never must require.
Then rest thee here till dawn of day;
Myself will guide thee on the way, O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward, Till past Clan- Alpine's outmost guard, As far as Coilantogle's ford;From thence thy warrant is thy sword.'
'I take thy courtesy, by heaven, As freely as 'tis nobly given! '
Well, rest thee; for the bittern's cry Sings us the lake's wild lullaby.'
With that he shook the gathered heath, And spread his plaid upon the wreath;And the brave foemen, side by side, Lay peaceful down like brothers tried, And slept until the dawning beam Purpled the mountain and the stream.
CANTO FIFTH.
The Combat.
