The falcon, from her cairn on high, 

 Cast on the rout a wondering eye, 

 Till far beyond her piercing ken 

 The hurricane had swept the glen. 

 Faint, and more faint, its failing din 

 Return'd from cavern, cliff, and linn, 

 And silence settled, wide and still, 

 On the lone wood and mighty hill. 



Less loud the sounds of sylvan war 

 Disturb'd the heights of Uam-Var, 

 And roused the cavern, where, 'tis told, 

 A giant made his den of old ; 

 For ere that steep ascent was won, 

 High in his pathway hung the sun, 

 And many a gallant, stay'd perforce, 

 Was fain to breathe his faltering horse, 

 And of the trackers of the deer, 

 Scarce half the lessening pack was near ; 

 So shrewdly on the mountain side 

 Had the bold burst their mettle tried. 



Alone, but with unbated zeal, 

 That horseman plied the scourge and steel ; 

 For jaded now, and spent with toil, 

 Emboss'd with foam, and dark with soil, 

 While every gasp with sobs he drew, 

 The labouring stag strain'd full in view. 

 Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, 

 Unmatch'd for courage, breath, and speed, 



132 



