📔 The Lady of the Lake

Fear naught—nay, that I need not say— / But—doubt not aught from mine array. / Thou art my guest;—I pledged my word / As far as Coilantogle ford: [...]

To share, with ill-concealed disdain, / Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain.

Slighting the petty need he showed, / He told of his benighted road; [...]

"Have, then, thy wish!"—he whistled shrill, / And he was answered from the hill; / Wild as the scream of the curlieu, / From crag to crag the signal flew.

So toilsome was the road to trace, / The guide, abating of his pace, / Led slowly through the pass's jaws, […]

As the tall ship, whose lofty prore / Shall never stem the billows more […] !