Canto V.

10—

Fet, being asked by the Highlander:„Thou darest not call thyself a foe?“(viz. to Roderick) he is not satisfied by answering"yes, I do,“ but very imprudently adds:—

„I dare! to him and all the band He brings to aid his murderous hand.“ What is the use of thus irritating an enemy upon whose mercy he depends entirely? Moreover, is it not more than disagreeable to hear him continue:—

„Come Roderick Dhu, And let me but till morning rest,

And of his clan the boldest two 1 write the falsehood on their crest.“

A man of his education, who shows such a high degree of tact and moderation in Canto V. st. 17.(21“6 line of this page) must not, nay, cannot boast so vulgarly.

We now come to one of the finest stanzas in the poem. How deeply touching it is to hear the Highlander in stanza 7. explain to Fitz-James the situation of the Gaels in their Highlands;— the sentiment with which they look down upon the»waving fields and pastures green“, the former property of their forefathers,— and the vindication of all their ravages on the"Saxons.“ We abstain from quoting a passage of this beautiful stanza because it is rather difficult to chose from amongst its verses, every one of them being a master-piece.— The succeeding stanzas are, perhaps, even finer. Stanza 9. first charms the reader by the most beautifully animated picture of the chieftain's preparations for war and then quite amazes him, when Fitz-James's generous companion turns out to be Roderick himself. However the highest appreciation of these uncommon beauties of the poem cannot prevent our being of opinion that Roderick's boyish violence, alluded to (8w line of this page), is in contradiction with the perfect placidity with which he endures Fitz-James's frequent and boastful provocations.

The manner in which the two heroes are placed in opposition from their first meeting till their final conflict is very fine. Fitz-James is so touched by Roderick's generous behaviour towards him that he forgets his sworn vengance and offers the hand of reconciliation, which, however, is not accepted."»The two principal figures are contrasted with uncommon felicity. Fitz-James is gay, amorous, fickle, intrepid, impetuous, affectionate, courteous, graceful, and dignified. Roderick is gloomy, vindictive, arrogant, undaunted, but constant in his affections, and true to his engagements.“—(Quarterly Review.) Although we are, on the whole, glad to see Fitz-James victorious in the bloody conflict we cannot help pitying his antagonist, who, seeing Fitz-James fight without a shield, flings away his, notwithstanding his being aware that without it he will be at a disadvantage, as he is not accustomed to this manner of fighting.— It may appear strange at first that immediately after the combat, Fitz-James's bugle-note is heard by four of his men, who hasten to the spot. But considering that his followers know whereabout he must be; that he is a king and, consequently, perhaps hundreds of men were searching for him, we cannot but think it quite natural.

Fitz-James's behaviour after his victory proves him again to be a high-minded gentleman and worthy of the victory:"Exclaim not, gallants! question not“ says he, when his men come to the bloody spot, whilst there is no reason for their"not exclaiming“ and"questioning“ but the fear of hurting his vanquished antagonist's feelings.— Stanza 20.— 24. give a lively picture and a great deal of curious information on the annual festival of Scottih burghs and towns at that period, and contrast James Douglas's sorrowful mood very touchingly with the public merriment. He is too good a father ro tread the path of death without having provided for his beloved laughter. Stanza 20. explains to us the meaning of the following lines of Canto IV.(st. 9.):

uIf aught should his return delay, He only named yon holy fane

As fitting place to meet again.“

How sad it is to see the good old man, with his stout heart almost breaking with mute

sorrow, standing amidst the shouting crowd!— His exterior and imposing demeanour as well as the king's cold indifference towards him are masterly painted(st. 22):— „And when in turn he shot again, From its deep bed, then heaved it ligh His second split the first in twain....“ And sent the fragments to the sky.... „The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone„As waves before the bark divide,

The crowd gave way before his stride...

There is something about Douglas that reminds us of the figures in the Nibelungen.