And as she touch’d and tuned them all,
Ever her bosom’s rise and fall
  Was plainer given to view; 300
For, all for heat, was laid aside
Her wimple, and her hood untied. 
And first she pitch’d her voice to sing,
Then glanced her dark eye on the King,
And then around the silent ring; 305
And laugh’d, and blush’d, and oft did say
Her pretty oath, by Yea, and Nay,
She could not, would not, durst not play! 
At length, upon the harp, with glee,
Mingled with arch simplicity, 310
A soft, yet lively, air she rung,
While thus the wily lady sung:—­

XII.

Lochinvar.

Lady Heron’s Song

O, 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, 315
He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone. 
So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,
There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

He staid not for brake, and he stopp’d not for stone,
He swam the Eske river where ford there was none; 320
But ere he alighted at Netherby gate,
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 enter’d the Netherby Hall, 325
Among bride’s-men, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all: 
Then spoke the bride’s father, his hand on his sword,
(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word,)
’O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,
Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?’—­ 330

’I long woo’d your daughter, my suit you denied;—­
Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide—­
And now am I 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, 335
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.’

The bride kiss’d the goblet:  the knight took it up,
He quaff’d off the wine, and he threw down the cup. 
She look’d down to blush, and she look’d up to sigh,
With a smile on her lips, and a tear in her eye. 340
He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar,—­
‘Now tread we a measure!’ said young Lochinvar.

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, 345
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;
And the bride-maidens whisper’d, ’’Twere better by far,
To have match’d our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.’

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear,
When they reach’d the hall-door, and the charger stood near; 350
So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,
So light to the saddle before her he sprung! 
’She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur;
They’ll have fleet steeds that follow,’ quoth young Lochinvar.