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 HE Scottish Border Minstrel’s lay Entranced me oft in boyhood’s day;
 * His forests, glens, and streams,

Mountains, and heather blooming fair, And Highland lake, and lady, were
 * The playmates of my dreams.

Years passed away—my dreams were gone; My pilgrim footsteps passed at noon
 * Loch Katrine’s storied shores:

In silence slept the fairy lake, Nor did the mountain-echoes wake
 * At music of my oars.

No tramp of warrior-men I heard; Welcome-song, or challenge-word,
 * I listened, but in vain;

And, moored beside his favorite tree, As vainly wooed the minstrelsy
 * Of gray-haired Allan Bane.

I saw the Highland heath-flower smile In beauty, upon Ellen’s isle;