Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/268

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
232
CHILDE HAROLD’S PILGRIMAGE.
[CANTO III.

And the deep thunder peal on peal afar;
And near, the beat of the alarming drum
Roused up the soldier ere the Morning Star;
While thronged the citizens with terror dumb,[1]
Or whispering, with white lips—"The foe! They come! they come!"


XXVI.

And wild and high the "Cameron's Gathering" rose!
The war-note of Lochiel, which Albyn's hills
Have heard, and heard, too, have her Saxon foes:—
How in the noon of night that pibroch thrills,
Savage and shrill! But with the breath which fills
Their mountain-pipe, so fill the mountaineers
With the fierce native daring which instils
The stirring memory of a thousand years,
And Evan's—Donald'sN4 fame rings in each clansman's ears!


XXVII.

And ArdennesN5 waves above them her green leaves,[2]
Dewy with Nature's tear-drops, as they pass—
Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves,

Over the unreturning brave,—alas!
  1. And wakening citizens with terror dumb
    Or whispering with pale lips—"The foe—They come, they come."—[MS.]

    Or whispering with pale lips—"The Desolation's come."—[MS. erased.]

  2. And Soignies waves above them——.—[MS.]
    And Ardennes ——.—[C.]