1036 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1806. 
MELROSE ABBEY anv toe CHARM or tote WIZARD, 
i MICHAEL SCOTT. 
(From the same.) 
if 
F thou would’st view fair Melrose aright, 
Go visit it by the pale moon-light ; 
For the gay beams of lightsome day | 
Gild, but to flout, the ruins gray. 
When the broken arches are black in night, 
And each shafted oriel glimmers white ; 
When the cold light’s uncertain shower 
Streams on the ruined central tower ; 
When buttress and buttress, alternately, - 
Seem framed of ebon and ivory ; 
When silver edges the imagery, 
And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die ; 
When distant ‘I'weed is heard to rave, 
And the owlet to hoot o’er the dead man’s grave, 
Then go—but go alone the while— 
Then view St. David’s ruined pile ; 
And, home returning, soothly swear, 
Was never scene so sad and fair ! 
Il. 
Short halt did Deloraine make there ; 
Little recked he of the scene so fair. 
With dagger’s hilt, on the wicket strong, 
He struck full loud, and struck full long. . 
The porter hurried to the gate— 
** Who knocks so loud, and knocks so late ?” 
‘¢ From Branksome J,” the warrior cried ; 
And strait the wicket opened wide : 
For Branksome’s chiefs had in battle stood, 
To fence the rights of fair Melrose ; 
And lands and livings, many a rood, 
Had gifted the shrine for their souls’ repose. 
HI. 
Bold Deloraine his errand said ; 
The porter bent his humble head ; 
With torch in hand, and feet unshod, 
And noiseless step, the path he trode: 
The arched cloisters, far and wide, 
Rang to the warrior’s clanking stride ; 
Till, stooping low his lofty crest, 
He entered the cell of the ancient priest, And 
