LOCHINVAR SIR WALTER SCOTT Oh, young Lochinvar is come out of the West; Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; 5 So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone; 10 The bride had consented; the gallant came late; So, boldly he entered the Netherby hall, 'Mong bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all; 15 Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), "Oh, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?" "I long wooed your daughter; my suit you denied— 20 Love swells like the Solway; but ebbs like its tide; And now I am come, with this lost love of mine To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine. There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar." 5 The bride kissed the goblet; the knight took it up; He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup, She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh, He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar- 5 So stately his form, and so lovely her face, That never a hall such a galliard did grace; While her mother did fret, and her father did fume, And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume; And the bride-maidens whispered, ""Twere better by far 10 To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar." One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, When they reached the hall door and the charger stood near; So light to the croup the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung! 15 "She is won! We are gone, over bank, bush, and scar! They'll have fleet steeds that follow!" quoth young Lochinvar. There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan; 20 But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. NOTES AND QUESTIONS Biography. Walter Scott (1771-1832) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Even in his childhood he loved nothing better than to wander through Scotland, looking up castles and ruins and listening to the stories connected with them as told by the old people of the villages. He became familiar with all the ballads and legends of his locality, and these, with Bishop Percy's collection of ballads, which he read later, exerted a strong influence on his life. He loved the history and romance of Scotland and made them known to all the world through his many poems and novels. In his long poem, Marmion, Scott represents Lady Heron as singing the ballad, "Lochinvar," to the accompaniment of the harp. “Lochinvar” is based on the old ballad "Katharine Janfarie." Discussion. 1. What geographical references tell you that the scene of this story is laid in Scotland? 2. What names mentioned do you recognize as Scotch names? 3. Find a line in the first stanza that sums up the character of Lochinvar. 4. Find a line in the second stanza that describes the character of the bridegroom. 5. Find a line in the third stanza that adds to the picture of the bridegroom given in the second stanza. 6. How is the reader affected by the contrast between the two men? 7. Find the question asked by the bride's father. Why was his hand on his sword as he asked it? 8. What impression did Lochinvar give the bride's father by his answer? 9. Do you think Lochinvar was sincere in his response? 10. Describe the picture the sixth stanza makes you see. 11. What did Lochinvar accomplish by means of the dance? 12. What were we told in the first stanza that explains Lochinvar's escape? 13. Who are mentioned as the pursuers? 14. What do you know of the methods of travel and communication before 1800? 15. What two kinds of adventure are mentioned in the Introduction on page 95? Which of these kinds does this story narrate? 16. In this poem Scott has imitated the old ballad style; point out some of the passages that show this. 17. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: Border; brake; measure; bar; galliard; bonnet; croup; scar. 18. Pronounce: Lochinvar; dauntless; gallant. Class Reading. Bring to class and read Longfellow's ballad "The Skeleton in Armor" (in The Elson Readers, Book Seven), noting the similarity of theme. THE LEAP OF ROUSHAN BEG HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Mounted on Kyrat strong and fleet, Up the mountain pathway flew. Such was the Kyrat's wondrous speed, Never yet could any steed Reach the dust-cloud in his course. More than maiden, more than wife, 5 More than gold, and next to life Roushan the Robber loved his horse. In the land that lies beyond Garden-girt, his fortress stood; 10 Plundered khan, or caravan Journeying north from Koordistan, Gave him wealth and wine and food. |