FormerlyHeadMasteroftheHighSchool，Cambridge，Mass。

Boston1883

PrefaceWhenIfirstsawMr。Osgood’sbeautifulillustratededitionofTheLadyoftheLake，Iaskedhimtoletmeusesomeofthecutsinacheaperannotatededitionforschoolandhouseholduse；andthepresentvolumeistheresult。

Thetextofthepoemhasgivenmeunexpectedtrouble。WhenI

editedsomeofGray’spoemsseveralyearsago，Ifoundthattheyhadnotbeencorrectlyprintedformorethanhalfacentury；butinthecaseofScottIsupposedthatthetextofBlack’sso—called"Author’sEdition"couldbedependeduponasaccurate。

Almostatthestart，however，Idetectedsundryobviousmisprintsinoneofthemanyformsinwhichthiseditionisissued，andanexaminationofothersshowedthattheywereasbadintheirway。

The"Shilling"issuewasnoworsethanthecostlyillustratedoneof1853，whichhaditsownassortmentofslipsofthetype。

NotwoeditionsthatIcouldobtainagreedexactlyintheirreadings。Itriedinvaintofindacopyoftheeditioprinceps（1810）inCambridgeandBoston，butsucceededingettingonethroughaLondonbookseller。ThisIcompared，linebyline，withtheEdinburgheditionof1821（fromtheHarvardLibrary），withLockhart’sfirstedition，the"Globe"edition，andaboutadozenothersEnglishandAmerican。Ifoundmanymisprintsandcorruptionsinallexcepttheeditionof1821，andafeweveninthat。Forinstanceini。217Scottwrote"Foundineachcliffanarrowbower，"anditissoprintedinthefirstedition；butineveryotherthatIhaveseen"cliff"appearsinplaceofclift，，tothemanifestinjuryofthepassage。Inii。685，everyeditionthatIhaveseensincethatof1821has"Imeantnotallmyheartmightsay，"whichisworsethannonsense，thecorrectreadingbeing"myheat。"Invi。396，theScottish"boune"

（thoughitoccurstwiceinotherpartsofthepoem）hasbeenchangedto"bound"inalleditionssince1821；and，eightlinesbelow，theoldword"barded"hasbecome"barbed。"ScoresofsimilarcorruptionsarerecordedinmyNotes，andneednotbecitedhere。

Ihaverestoredthereadingofthefirstedition，exceptincaseswhereIhavenodoubtthatthelaterreadingisthepoet’sowncorrectionoralteration。ThereareobviousmisprintsinthefirsteditionwhichScotthimselfoverlooked（seeonii。115，217，，Vi。527，etc。），anditissometimesdifficulttodecidewhetheralaterreading——achangeofapluraltoasingular，orliketrivialvariation——isamisprintortheauthor’scorrectionofanearliermisprint。IhavedonethebestIcould，withthemeansatmycommand，tosettlethesequestions，andamatleastcertainthatthetextasIgiveitisnearerrightthaninanyeditionsince1821AsallthevariaelectionesarerecordedintheNotes，thereaderwhodoesnotapproveoftheoneIadoptcansubstitutethatwhichheprefers。

IhaveretainedallScott’sNotes（afewofthemhavebeensomewhatabridged）andallthoseaddedbyLockhart。[FN#l]MyownIhavemadeasconciseaspossible。Thereare，ofcourse，manyofthemwhichmanyofmyreaderswillnotneed，butIthinktherearenonethatmaynotbeofservice，oratleastofinterest，tosomeofthem；andIhopethatnoonewillturntothemforhelpwithoutfindingit。

ScottismuchgiventotheuseofElizabethanwordsandconstructions，andIhavequotedmany"parallelisms"fromShakespeareandhiscontemporaries。IbelieveIhavereferredtomyeditionofShakespeareinonlyasingleinstance（oniii。17），butteachersandotherswhohavethateditionwillfindmanyadditionalillustrationsintheNotesonthepassagescited。

Whilecorrectingtheerrorsofformereditors，Imayhaveoverlookedsomeofmyown。IamalreadyindebtedtothecarefulproofreadersoftheUniversityPressforthedetectionofoccasionalslipsinquotationsorreferences；andIshallbeverygratefultomyreadersforamemorandumofanyothersthattheymaydiscover。

Cambridge，June23，1883……

Argument。

ThesceneofthefollowingPoemislaidchieflyinthevicinityofLochKatrine，intheWesternHighlandsofPerthshire。ThetimeofActionincludesSixDays，andthetransactionsofeachDayoccupyaCanto。

THELADYOFTHELAKE。

CANTOFIRST。

TheChase。

HarpoftheNorth！thatmoulderinglonghasthungOnthewitch—elmthatshadesSaintFillan’sspringAnddownthefitfulbreezethynumbersflung，Tillenviousivydidaroundtheecling，Mufflingwithverdantringleteverystring，——

OMinstrelHarp，stillmustshineaccentssleep？

Midrustlingleavesandfountainsmurmuring，Stillmustthysweetersoundstheirsilencekeep，Norbidawarriorsmile，norteachamaidtoweep？

Notthus，inancientdaysofCaledon，Wasthyvoicemuteamidthefestalcrowd，Whenlayofhopelesslove，orglorywon，Arousedthefearfulorsubduedtheproud。

AteachaccordingpausewasheardaloudThineardentsymphonysublimeandhigh！

Fairdamesandcrestedchiefsattentionbowed；

ForstilltheburdenofthyminstrelsyWasKnighthood’sdauntlessdeed，andBeauty’smatchlesseye。

O，wakeoncemore！howrudesoe’erthehandThatventureso’erthymagicmazetostray；

O，wakeoncemore！thoughscarcemyskillcommandSomefeebleechoingofshineearlierlay：

Thoughharshandfaint，andsoontodieaway，Andallunworthyofthynoblerstrain，Yetifoneheartthrobhigheratitssway，Thewizardnotehasnotbeentouchedinvain。

Thensilentbenomore！Enchantress，wakeagain！

I。

Thestagatevehaddrunkhisfill，WheredancedthemoononMonan’srill，AnddeephismidnightlairhadmadeInloneGlenartney’shazelshade；

ButwhenthesunhisbeaconredHadkindledonBenvoirlich’shead，Thedeep—mouthedbloodhound’sheavybayResoundeduptherockyway，Andfaint，fromfartherdistanceborne，Wereheardtheclanginghoofandhorn。

II。

AsChief，whohearshiswardercall，’Toarms！thefoemenstormthewall，’

TheantleredmonarchofthewasteSprungfromhisheatherycouchinhaste。

Buterehisfleetcareerhetook，Thedew—dropsfromhisflanksheshook；

LikecrestedleaderproudandhighTossedhisbeamedfrontlettothesky；

Amomentgazedadownthedale，Amomentsnuffedthetaintedgale，Amomentlistenedtothecry，Thatthickenedasthechasedrewnigh；

Then，astheheadmostfoesappeared，Withonebraveboundthecopsehecleared，And，stretchingforwardfreeandfar，SoughtthewildheathsofUam—Var。

III。

Yelledontheviewtheopeningpack；

Rock，glen，andcavernpaidthemback；

TomanyamingledsoundatonceTheawakenedmountaingaveresponse。

Ahundreddogsbayeddeepandstrong，Clatteredahundredsteedsalong，Theirpealthemerryhornsrungout，Ahundredvoicesjoinedtheshout；

Withharkandwhoopandwildhalloo，NorestBenvoirlich’sechoesknew。

Farfromthetumultfledtheroe，Closeinhercovertcoweredthedoe，Thefalcon，fromhercairnonhigh，Castontheroutawonderingeye，TillfarbeyondherpiercingkenThehurricanehadswepttheglen。

Faint，andmorefaint，itsfailingdinReturnedfromcavern，cliff，andlinn，Andsilencesettled，wideandstill，Onthelonewoodandmightyhill。

IV。

LessloudthesoundsofsylvanwarDisturbedtheheightsofUam—Var，Androusedthecavernwhere，’tistold，Agiantmadehisdenofold；

Forerethatsteepascentwaswon，Highinhispathwayhungthesun，Andmanyagallant，stayedperforce，Wasfaintobreathehisfalteringhorse，AndofthetrackersofthedeerScarcehalfthelesseningpackwasnear；

Soshrewdlyonthemountain—sideHadtheboldbursttheirmettletried。

V。

ThenoblestagwaspausingnowUponthemountain’ssouthernbrow，Wherebroadextended，farbeneath，ThevariedrealmsoffairMenteith。

Withanxiouseyehewanderedo’erMountainandmeadow，mossandmoor，Andponderedrefugefromhistoil，ByfarLochardorAberfoyle。

ButnearerwasthecopsewoodgrayThatwavedandweptonLochAchray，Andmingledwiththepine—treesblueOntheboldcliffsofBenvenue。

Freshvigorwiththehopereturned，Withflyingfoottheheathhespurned，Heldwestwardwithunweariedrace，Andleftbehindthepantingchase。

VI。

’Twerelongtotellwhatsteedsgaveo’er，AssweptthehuntthroughCambusmore；

Whatreinsweretightenedindespair，WhenroseBenledi’sridgeinair；

WhoflaggeduponBochastle’sheath，WhoshunnedtostemthefloodedTeith，——

Fortwicethatday，fromshoretoshore，Thegallantstagswamstoutlyo’er。

Fewwerethestragglers，followingfar，ThatreachedthelakeofVennachar；

AndwhentheBriggofTurkwaswon，Theheadmosthorsemanrodealone。

VII。

Alone，butwithunbatedzeal，Thathorsemanpliedthescourgeandsteel；

Forjadednow，andspentwithtoil，Embossedwithfoam，anddarkwithsoil，Whileeverygaspwithsobshedrew，Thelaboringstagstrainedfullinview。

TwodogsofblackSaintHubert’sbreed，Unmatchedforcourage，breath，andspeed，Fastonhisflyingtracescame，Andallbutwonthatdesperategame；

For，scarceaspear’slengthfromhishaunch，Vindictivetoiledthebloodhoundsstanch；

Nornearermightthedogsattain，NorfarthermightthequarrystrainThusupthemarginofthelake，Betweentheprecipiceandbrake，O’erstockandrocktheirracetheytake。

VIII。

TheHuntermarkedthatmountainhigh，Thelonelake’swesternboundary，Anddeemedthestagmustturntobay，Wherethathugerampartbarredtheway；

Alreadygloryingintheprize，Measuredhisantlerswithhiseyes；

Forthedeath—woundanddeath—hallooMusteredhisbreath，hiswhinyarddrew：——

Butthunderingashecameprepared，Withreadyarmandweaponbared，Thewilyquarryshunnedtheshock，Andturnedhimfromtheopposingrock；

Then，dashingdownadarksomeglen，SoonlosttohoundandHunter’sken，InthedeepTrosachs’wildestnookHissolitaryrefugetook。

There，whileclosecouchedthethicketshedColddewsandwildflowersonhishead，HeheardthebaffleddogsinvainRavethroughthehollowpassamain，Chidingtherocksthatyelledagain。

IX。

CloseonthehoundstheHuntercame，Tocheerthemonthevanishedgame；

But，stumblingintheruggeddell，Thegallanthorseexhaustedfell。

TheimpatientriderstroveinvainTorousehimwiththespurandrein，Forthegoodsteed，hislaborso’er，Stretchedhisstifflimbs，torisenomore；

Then，touchedwithpityandremorse，Hesorrowedo’ertheexpiringhorse。

’Ilittlethought，whenfirstthyreinIslackeduponthebanksofSeine，ThatHighlandeaglee’ershouldfeedOnthyfleetlimbs，mymatchlesssteed！

Woeworththechase，woeworththeday，Thatcoststhylife，mygallantgray！’

X。

Thenthroughthedellhishornresounds，Fromvainpursuittocallthehounds。

Backlimped，withslowandcrippledpace，Thesulkyleadersofthechase；

Closetotheirmaster’ssidetheypressed，Withdroopingtailandhumbledcrest；

Butstillthedingle’shollowthroatProlongedtheswellingbugle—note。

Theowletsstartedfromtheirdream，Theeaglesansweredwiththeirscream，Roundandaroundthesoundswerecast，Tillechoseemedanansweringblast；

AndontheHuntertriedhisway，Tojoinsomecomradesoftheday，Yetoftenpaused，sostrangetheroad，Sowondrouswerethescenesitshowed。

XI。

ThewesternwavesofebbingdayRolledo’ertheglentheirlevelway；

Eachpurplepeak，eachflintyspire，Wasbathedinfloodsoflivingfire。

ButnotasettingbeamcouldglowWithinthedarkravinesbelow，Wheretwinedthepathinshadowhid，Roundmanyarockypyramid，ShootingabruptlyfromthedellItsthunder—splinteredpinnacle；

Roundmanyaninsulatedmass，Thenativebulwarksofthepass，HugeasthetowerwhichbuildersvainPresumptuouspiledonShinar’splain。

Therockysummits，splitandrent，Formedturret，dome，orbattlement。

OrseemedfantasticallysetWithcupolaorminaret，Wildcrestsaspagodeverdecked，OrmosqueofEasternarchitect。

Norweretheseearth—borncastlesbare，Norlackedtheymanyabannerfair；

For，fromtheirshiveredbrowsdisplayed，Faro’ertheunfathomableglade，Alltwinklingwiththedewdropsheen，Thebriar—rosefellinstreamersgreen，kindcreepingshrubsofthousanddyesWavedinthewest—wind’ssummersighs。

XII。

Boonnaturescattered，freeandwild，Eachplantorflower，themountain’schild。

Hereeglantineembalmedtheair，Hawthornandhazelmingledthere；

TheprimrosepaleandvioletflowerFoundineachcliffanarrowbower；

Foxgloveandnightshade，sidebyside，Emblemsofpunishmentandpride，GroupedtheirdarkhueswitheverystainTheweather—beatencragsretain。

Withboughsthatquakedateverybreath，Graybirchandaspenweptbeneath；

Aloft，theashandwarrioroakCastanchorintheriftedrock；

And，higheryet，thepine—treehungHisshatteredtrunk，andfrequentflung，Whereseemedthecliffstomeetonhigh，Hisboughsathwartthenarrowedsky。

Highestofall，wherewhitepeaksglanced，Whereglisteningstreamerswavedanddanced，Thewanderer’seyecouldbarelyviewThesummerheaven’sdeliciousblue；

Sowondrouswild，thewholemightseemThesceneryofafairydream。

XIII。

Onward，amidthecopse’ganpeepAnarrowinlet，stillanddeep，AffordingscarcesuchbreadthofbrimAsservedthewildduck’sbroodtoswim。

Lostforaspace，throughthicketsveering，Butbroaderwhenagainappearing，TallrocksandtuftedknollstheirfaceCouldonthedark—bluemirrortrace；

AndfartherastheHunterstrayed，Stillbroadersweepitschannelsmade。

Theshaggymoundsnolongerstood，Emergingfromentangledwood，But，wave—encircled，seemedtofloat，Likecastlegirdledwithitsmoat；

YetbroaderfloodsextendingstillDividethemfromtheirparenthill，Tilleach，retiring，claimstobeAnisletinaninlandsea。

XIV。

Andnow，toissuefromtheglen，Nopathwaymeetsthewanderer’sken，UnlessheclimbwithfootingniceAfar—projectingprecipice。

Thebroom’stoughrootshisladdermade，Thehazelsaplingslenttheiraid；

Andthusanairypointhewon，Where，gleamingwiththesettingsun，Oneburnishedsheetoflivinggold，LochKatrinelaybeneathhimrolled，Inallherlengthfarwindinglay，Withpromontory，creek，andbay，Andislandsthat，empurpledbright，Floatedamidthelivelierlight，AndmountainsthatlikegiantsstandTosentinelenchantedland。

Highonthesouth，hugeBenvenueDowntothelakeinmassesthrewCrags，knolls，andmounds，confusedlyhurled，Thefragmentsofanearlierworld；

Awilderingforestfeatheredo’erHisruinedsidesandsummithoar，Whileonthenorth，throughmiddleair，Ben—anheavedhighhisforeheadbare。

XV。

FromthesteeppromontorygazedThestranger，rapturedandamazed，And，’Whatascenewerehere，’hecried，’Forprincelypomporchurchman’spride！

Onthisboldbrow，alordlytower；

Inthatsoftvale，alady’sbower；

Onyondermeadowfaraway，Theturretsofacloistergray；

Howblithelymightthebugle—hornChideonthelakethelingeringmorn！

Howsweetatevethelover’sluteChimewhenthegroveswerestillandmute！

AndwhenthemidnightmoonshouldlaveHerforeheadinthesilverwave，HowsolemnontheearwouldcomeTheholymatins’distanthum，Whilethedeeppeal’scommandingtoneShouldwake，inyonderisletlone，Asaintedhermitfromhiscell，Todropabeadwitheveryknell！

Andbugle，lute，andbell，andall，ShouldeachbewilderedstrangercallTofriendlyfeastandlightedhall。

XVI。

’Blithewereitthentowanderhere！

Butnow——beshrewyonnimbledeer——

Likethatsamehermit’s，thinandspare，Thecopsemustgivemyeveningfare；

Somemossybankmycouchmustbe，Somerustlingoakmycanopy。

Yetpasswethat；thewarandchaseGivelittlechoiceofresting—place；——

AsummernightingreenwoodspentWerebutto—morrow’smerriment：

Buthostsmayinthesewildsabound，Suchasarebettermissedthanfound；

TomeetwithHighlandplunderershereWereworsethanlossofsteedordeer。——

Iamalone；——mybugle—strainMaycallsomestragglerofthetrain；

Or，falltheworstthatmaybetide，Erenowthisfalchionhasbeentried。’

XVII。

Butscarceagainhishornhewound，Whenlo！forthstartingatthesound，FromunderneathanagedoakThatslantedfromtheisletrock，Adamselguiderofitsway，Alittleskiffshottothebay，ThatroundthepromontorysteepLeditsdeeplineingracefulsweep，Eddying，inalmostviewlesswave，Theweepingwillowtwigtorave，Andkiss，withwhisperingsoundandslow，Thebeachofpebblesbrightassnow。

TheboathadtouchedthissilverstrandJustastheHunterlefthisstand，Andstoodconcealedamidthebrake，ToviewthisLadyoftheLake。

Themaidenpaused，asifagainShethoughttocatchthedistantstrain。

Withheadupraised，andlookintent，Andeyeandearattentivebent，Andlocksflungback，andlipsapart，LikemonumentofGrecianart，Inlisteningmood，sheseemedtostand，TheguardianNaiadofthestrand。

XVIII。

Andne’erdidGrecianchiseltraceANymph，aNaiad，oraGrace，Offinerformorlovelierface！

Whatthoughthesun，withardentfrown，Hadslightlytingedhercheekwithbrown，——

Thesportivetoil，which，shortandlightHaddyedherglowinghuesobright，ServedtooinhastierswelltoshowShortglimpsesofabreastofsnow：

WhatthoughnoruleofcourtlygraceTomeasuredmoodhadtrainedherpace，——

Afootmorelight，astepmoretrue，Ne’erfromtheheath—flowerdashedthedew；

E’entheslightharebellraiseditshead，Elasticfromherairytread：

WhatthoughuponherspeechtherehungTheaccentsofthemountaintongue，———

Thosesilversounds，sosoft，sodear，Thelistenerheldhisbreathtohear！

XIX。

Achieftain’sdaughterseemedthemaid；

Hersatinsnood，hersilkenplaid，Hergoldenbrooch，suchbirthbetrayed。

AndseldomwasasnoodamidSuchwildluxuriantringletshid，WhoseglossyblacktoshamemightbringTheplumageoftheraven’swing；

Andseldomo’erabreastsofairMantledaplaidwithmodestcare，AndneverbroochthefoldscombinedAboveaheartmoregoodandkind。

Herkindnessandherworthtospy，YouneedbutgazeonEllen’seye；

NotKatrineinhermirrorblueGivesbacktheshaggybanksmoretrue，Thaneveryfree—bornglanceconfessedTheguilelessmovementsofherbreast；

Whetherjoydancedinherdarkeye，Orwoeorpityclaimedasigh，Orfiliallovewasglowingthere，Ormeekdevotionpouredaprayer，OrtaleofinjurycalledforthTheindignantspiritoftheNorth。

OneonlypassionunrevealedWithmaidenpridethemaidconcealed，Yetnotlesspurelyfelttheflame；——

O，needItellthatpassion’sname？

XX。

Impatientofthesilenthorn，Nowonthegalehervoicewasborne：——

’Father！’shecried；therocksaroundLovedtoprolongthegentlesound。

Awhileshepaused，noanswercame；——

’Malcolm，wasshinetheblast？’thenameLessresolutelyutteredfell，Theechoescouldnotcatchtheswell。

’AstrangerI，’theHuntsmansaid，Advancingfromthehazelshade。

Themaid，alarmed，withhastyoarPushedherlightshallopfromtheshore，Andwhenaspacewasgainedbetween，Closershedrewherbosom’sscreen；——

Soforththestartledswanwouldswing，Soturntoprunehisruffledwing。

Thensafe，thoughflutteredandamazed，Shepaused，andonthestrangergazed。

Nothistheform，norhistheeye，Thatyouthfulmaidenswonttofly。

XXI。

OnhisboldvisagemiddleageHadslightlypresseditssignetsage，YethadnotquenchedtheopentruthAndfieryvehemenceofyouth；

Forwardandfrolicgleewasthere，Thewilltodo，thesoultodare，Thesparklingglance，soonblowntofire，Ofhastyloveorheadlongire。

HislimbswerecastinmanlycouldForhardysportsorcontestbold；

Andthoughinpeacefulgarbarrayed，Andweaponlessexcepthisblade，HisstatelymienaswellimpliedAhigh—bornheart，amartialpride，Asifabaron’scresthewore，Andsheathedinarmorbodetheshore。

Slightingthepettyneedheshowed，Hetoldofhisbenightedroad；

Hisreadyspeechflowedfairandfree，Inphraseofgentlestcourtesy，YetseemedthattoneandgestureblandLessusedtosuethantocommand。

XXII。

Awhilethemaidthestrangereyed，And，reassured，atlengthreplied，ThatHighlandhallswereopenstillTowilderedwanderersofthehill。

’NorthinkyouunexpectedcomeToyonloneisle，ourdeserthome；

Beforetheheathhadlostthedew，Thismorn，acouchwaspulledforyou；

Onyondermountain’spurpleheadHaveptarmiganandheath—cockbled，Andourbroadnetshavesweptthemere，Tofurnishforthyoureveningcheer。’——

’Now，bytherood，mylovelymaid，Yourcourtesyhaserred，’hesaid；

’NorighthaveItoclaim，misplaced，Thewelcomeofexpectedguest。

Awanderer，herebyfortunetoss，Myway，myfriends，mycourserlost，Ine’erbefore，believeme，fair，Haveeverdrawnyourmountainair，Tillonthislake’sromanticstrandIfoundafeyinfairyland！’——

XXIII。

’Iwellbelieve，’themaidreplied，Asherlightskiffapproachedtheside，——

’Iwellbelieve，thatne’erbeforeYourfoothastrodLochKatrine’sshoreButyet，asfarasyesternight，OldAllan—baneforetoldyourplight，——

Agray—hairedsire，whoseeyeintentWasonthevisionedfuturebent。

Hesawyoursteed，adappledgray，Liedeadbeneaththebirchenway；

Paintedexactyourformandmien，Yourhunting—suitofLincolngreen，Thattasselledhornsogaylygilt，Thatfalchion’scrookedbladeandhilt，Thatcapwithheronplumagetrim，Andyontwohoundssodarkandgrim。

HebadethatallshouldreadybeTograceaguestoffairdegree；

ButlightIheldhisprophecy，Anddeemeditwasmyfather’shornWhoseechoeso’erthelakewereborne。’

XXIV。

Thestrangersmiled：——’SincetoyourhomeAdestinederrant—knightIcome，Announcedbyprophetsoothandold，Doomed，doubtless，forachievementbold，I’lllightlyfronteachhighempriseForonekindglanceofthosebrighteyes。

PermitmefirstthetasktoguideYourfairyfrigateo’erthetide。’

Themaid，withsmilesuppressedandsly，Thetoilunwontedsawhimtry；

Forseldom，sure，ife’erbefore，Hisnoblehandhadgraspedanoar：

Yetwithmainstrengthhisstrokeshedrew，Ando’erthelaketheshallopflew；

Withheadserectandwhimperingcry，Thehoundsbehindtheirpassageply。

NorfrequentdoesthebrightoarbreakThedarkeningmirrorofthelake，Untiltherockyisletheyreach，Andmoortheirshalloponthebeach。

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