164 NETHER LOCHABER. 



And the maid grasped the Cross, which devoutly she kissed, 

 And hid it again in the snow of her breast ; 

 Homewards she turned her with pensive steps slowly, 

 But her heart was at peace meek, submissive, and lowly, 

 As maid and as mother (the Cross at her breast) she passed a life holy. 



Often still wake the echoes of Coirre-na-Sheen, 

 At the blast of thy bugle, O Hunter in Green 1 

 Go get thee a mate from the green fairy knowe 

 A cross-bearing maid dare not wed such as thou : 



Let fairy wed fey, and let mortal wed mortal. Come, Annabel, stir up 

 the fire till it blaze in a lowe ! 



The moral of the fairy song is instantly apparent. A young lady 

 miss or milkmaid is not to hold clandestine appointments with 

 any young gentleman, however lovable and attractive, until at least 

 she knows who and what he is, whence he cometh and whither he 

 goeth. Having met and loved, however, she is instantly to consult 

 those who are older and wiser than herself, and, under their friendly 

 care and direction, she is to be sure that, on her own part and on 

 that of her lover, all shall be pure and holy. The touch at the end 

 is admirable. We must suppose a mother telling the story, herself 

 and sons and daughters sitting round the fire, which, in the absorb- 

 ing interest of the tale, has been for the time neglected. " Annabel," 

 addressed at the close, we must fancy to be the eldest daughter, 

 just entering upon womanhood. The whole moral of the story, 

 flung obliquely at her head in the command to stir the fire and 

 make it blaze, is exquisite, and we can fancy the gentle " Annabel " 

 quietly smiling to herself the while she also having a secret as 

 she cheerily obeys the maternal mandate. 



