366 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



[No. 80. 



And there, according to his own malicious nature, 

 played likewise a score of monkey tricks, all of 

 which, grotesque and " undignified" ! as they may 

 be, yet most ingeniously divert the mind of the 

 reader from the real errand and mission of this 

 supernatural being. 



Shortly afterwards, on his exhibiting symptoms 

 of cowardice at the expected contest, he is con- 

 veyed from the castle by the Ladye's order, and 

 speedily rejoins his lord, after the iiiflictinn of a 

 severe chastisement from the arm of Wat Tinlinn. 

 He then procures Cranstoun's admission within 

 the walls of Branksome (where the whole clan 

 Scott was assembling at the tidings of the English 

 Raid) by the same spell — 



" Which to liis lord he did impart, 

 And made him seem, by glamour art, 

 A knight from hermitage." 



And on the following day, as Deloraine did not 

 appear in the lists ready to engage in the appointed 

 duel with Richard Musgrave, we arc told, — 

 " Meantime, full anxious was the Dame, 

 For now arose disputed claim. 

 Of who should fight for Deloraine, 

 'Twixt Harden and 'twixt Thiitlestalne, 



&c. &c. 

 But yet, not long the strife — for, lo I 

 Himself the Knight of Deloraine, 

 Strong, as it seemed, and free from pain, 



In armour sheathed from top to toe, 

 Appeared, and craved the combat due ; 

 The Dame her charm successful knew, 

 And the fierce chiefs their claims withdrew." 

 The conflict takes place, and ends in favour of 

 the Scottish knight; when the following scene 

 occurs : 



" As if exhausted in the fight. 

 Or musing o'er the piteous sight, 



The silent victor stands : 

 His beaver did he not unclasp, 

 Marked not the shouts, felt not the grasp 



Of gratulating hands. 

 When lo ! strange cries of wild surprise, 

 Mingled with seeming terror rise 



Among the Scottisli bands. 

 And all, amid the thronged array, 

 In panic haste gave open way 

 To a half-naked ghastly man, 

 Who downward fnjm the castle ran ; 

 He crossed the barriers at a bound, 

 And wild and haggard looked around, 



As dizzy, and in pain ; 

 And all, upon the armed ground 

 Knew William ot Delorane ! 

 Each ladye sprung from seat with speed. 

 Vaulted each marshal from his steed ; 

 ' And who art thou,' they cried, 

 ' Who hast this battle fought and won ? ' 

 His plumed helm was soon undone — 



' Cranstoun of Teviotside ! 

 For this fair prize I've fought and won,' 

 And to the Ladye led her son." 



Then is described the struggle that takes place 

 in the maternal breast : 



" And how the clan united prayed 



The Ladye would the feud forego. 

 And deign to bless the nuptial hour 

 Of Cranstoun's Lord and Teviot's Flower. 



" She looked to river, looked to hill. 

 Thought on the Spirits jirophecy. 

 Then broke her silence stern and still, 



' Not you, hut Fate^ has vanquished me ; 

 Their injluence kindly xtars mnij shower 

 On Teviot's tide and Branksome's tower, 

 For pride is rpielled, and love is free.' " 



The mission of the elf is now accomplished, his 

 last S|iecial service having been to steal the armour 

 of William of Dehn-aine "while slept the knight," 

 and thus to enable his master to personate that 

 warrior. 



It may be remarked that hitlierto there is no 

 direct evidence that the Page was sent by Michael 

 Scott. That evidence is reserved for the moment 

 of his final disappearance. 



On the same evening, after the celebration of the 

 nuptials, a mysterious and intense blackness en- 

 veloped the assembled company in Branksome 

 Hall. 



" A secret horror checked the feast. 



And chilled the soul of every guest ; 



Even the high Dame stood half aghast, 



She knew some evil in the blast ; 



The elvish Page fell to the ground. 



And, shuddering, muttered, ' Found I found ! found ! ' 



XXV. 



" Then sudden through the darkened air, 

 A flash of lightning came. 

 So broad, so bright, so red the glare. 

 The castle seemed on flame, 

 &c. &c. 

 Full through the guests' l)cdazzled band 

 Resistless flashed the levin-brand. 

 And filled the hall with smouldeiing smoke, 

 As on the elvish Page it broke, 



&c. &c. 

 When ended was the dreadful roar, 

 The elvish Dwarf was seen no more. 



" Some heard a voice in Branksome Hall, 

 Some saw a sight, not seen by all ; 

 That dreadful voice was heard by some 

 Cry, with loud summons, ' Gylbin, come ! ' 

 And on the spot where burst the brand, 



Just where the Page had flung him down. 

 Some saw an arm, and some a hand. 

 And some the waving of a gown : 

 The guests in silence prayed and shook, 

 And terror dimmed each lofty look. 

 But none of all the astonished train 

 Was so dismayed as Deloraine, 

 &c. &c. 



