6
Swift ran the page o'er hill and dale,
till in a lonely glen
He met the furious Sir John the Graeme,
with twenty of his men.
Where goest thou little page he said,
so late? who did thee send?—
I go to raise the brave clan Rose,
their master to defend.
For he has slain fierce Donald Graeme.
his blood is on his sword;
And far far distant are his men
nor can assist their lord
And has he slain my brother dear
the furious chief replies
Dishonour blast my name but he
by me ere morning dies
Say page where is Sir James the Rose.
I will thee well reward—
He sleeps into lord Buchan's park ,
matilda is his guard.
They spurred their steeds and furious flew.
like lightning o’er the 'ee;
They reach'd Lord Buchan’s lofty tow’rs.
by dawning of the day
Matilda stood without the gate.
upon a rising ground—
And watch'd each object in the dawn
all ear to every sound.
Where sleeps the Rose? begin the Graeme,
or has the felon fled?
This hand shall lay the wretch on earth
