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All the more extensive epic poems of Sir Walter Scott refer to various parts of mtro- Scottisn history. The Lady of the Lake, which is universally allowed to be the finest of uetion.

them, is intended to describe a Highland irruption and, at the same time, the political state of Scotland immediately before and under the reign of James V., king of Scotland (1513— 1542); to illustrate the manners then prevailing in Scotland, and to give a view of the highly picturesque scenery of that country."I had always thought the old Scottish Gael highly adapted for poetical composition“, says Walter Scott in his introduction to the poem under notice, and, indeed, there is, perhaps, no richer source for subjects of epic poetry than Scottish history. There is something highly tragic in the fate of the Celts of Scotland. We sympathize involuntarily with this interesting race, driven away from their homes and fertile lands into the cragged and barren yet romantic Highlands, where they have been living in a state of half barbarism almost up to the present day. The Highlanders never forgot that their forefathers were driven away from the Lowlands and that, but for the fatal invasion of the“Saxons“, they themselves would still be enjoying their happy homes in that fertile part of Scotland which now has fed for centuries the rich herds of the invaders and their descendants. Such was the common feeling with which the Gaels looked sadly down from their rocks upon the country below;— such the spirit that animated the Highlanders, when they rushed down from their rocky“fortress of the North“ upon the Lowlanders, fighting and plundering like a garrison making sallies upon the besieging enemy.— Taking into consideration the peculiar situation of these two hostile races living opposite to each other in the same country, the patriarchal institution of the clans, the wild beauty of the Highlands, the romantic character of King James V., the confusion of political affairs under his reign and many other circumstances, we must allow the subject time and scene of our poem to be most favourably chosen. Every thing is extremely well calculated to inspire the highest interest.

The*Lady of the Lake“ is a romantic epopee, or, as the author himself calls it, a pomance.

After having prepared the reader, by an invocation of“the Harp of the North“, to hear an imitation of the chivalrous poems of the minstrels, the poet does not proceed at once to the principal action. The introductory description of the chase is so energetic and natural that in our imagination we, as it were, partake of the excitement of the sport. The stag is so plastically drawn that we actually see him startle at the tumult, shake off the dew-drops and, having found out whence danger is drawing near, dart forth like an arrow. We take such an interest in the poor animal's fate that we share his agony and feel at last quite relieved when we know him out of danger.— The country, where the chase takes place, is as beautifully described. The poet does not merely describe nature but (according to Lessing's theory) frequently combines it inseparably with the action, for instance, as the chase goes up and down the mountains, we as it were see the wild scenery of the country(stanza 6.). The shouting is so tremendous that the falcon casts a *wondering eye“ on, the rout(sSt. 3.); the poor stag“wanders with an anxious eye over mountain and meadow, moss and moor“(st. 5.); the briar-roses, twinkling with dew-drops

1*

Canto I.