The Lady of the Lake

580. =To whom, though more than kindred knew.= This is a very obscure expression for Scott, who is usually so careful to make himself clear. The meaning seems to be: Ellen regar...

Unfortunately, he had already embarked in an enterprise which was destined to overthrow his fortunes just when they seemed fairest. While at school in Kelso he had become intima...

Eighteenth century poetry had been distinguished by its polish, its formal correctness, or--to use a term in much favor with critics of that day--its "elegance." The various and...

Obvious mistakes and punctuation errors have been corrected, but inconsistent spelling, punctuation and hyphenation has been retained. At the end of the text there is a list of...

"Bearing before them, in their course, 455 The relics of the archer force, Like wave with crest of sparkling foam, Right onward did Clan-Alpine come. Above the tide, each broads...

The Saxon paused: "I ne'er delayed, When foeman bade me draw my blade; 320 Nay more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death; Yet sure thy fair and generous faith, And my deep debt for l...

"That bull was slain; his reeking hide They stretched the cataract beside, 80 Whose waters their wild tumult toss Adown the black and craggy boss Of that huge cliff, whose ample...

A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid; Her satin snood, her silken plaid, Her golden brooch such birth betrayed. And seldom was a snood amid 365 Such wild luxuriant ringlets hi...

From this outline, it will be evident that Scott had gained greatly in narrative power since the production of _The Lay of the Last Minstrel_. Not only are the elements of the "...

Fast as the fatal symbol flies, In arms the huts and hamlets rise; From winding glen, from upland brown, They poured each hardy tenant down. 325 Nor slacked the messenger his pa...

"No, by mine honor," Roderick said, 665 "So help me Heaven, and my good blade! No, never! Blasted be yon Pine, My fathers' ancient crest and mine, If from its shade in danger pa...

Fitz-James's mind was passion-tossed, When Ellen's hints and fears were lost; But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought, And Blanche's song conviction brought. Not like a stag that...

Soothing she answered him--"Assuage, Mine honored friend, the fears of age; 155 All melodies to thee are known, That harp has rung, or pipe has blown, In Lowland vale or Highlan...

"Thou warn'st me I have done amiss-- I should have earlier looked to this; 855 I lost it in this bustling day. Retrace with speed thy former way; Spare not for spoiling of thy s...

It is important for the student of poetry to know the principal classes into which poems are divided. The following brief explanations do not pretend to be exhaustive, but they...