Page:Old Scots tragical song, of Sir James the Rose (1).pdf/8

Rh Till through his enemy’s heart the steel. Had forced a mortal wound,

Graeme, like a tree by wind o’erthrown, Fell breathless on the clay! And down beside him sank the Rose, And faint and dying lay.

Matilda saw, and fast she ran, O spare his life she cried: Lord Buchan’s daughter begs his life, Let her not be denied.

Her well known voice the hero heard He raised his death clos’d eyes: He fixed them on the weeping maid, and weakly thus replies;

In vain Matilda begs a life. By death’s arrest denied: My race is run—adieu my love. Then clos’d his eyes and died.

The sword yet warm from his left side, With frantic hand she drew, I come, Sir James the Rose, she cried, I come to follow you.

The hilt she lean‘d upon the ground. And bar’d her snowy beast, Then fell upon her lover’s face, And sunk to endless rest.