Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/144

106 "And fast before her father's men

Three days we've fled together,

For should he find us in the glen,

My blood would stain the heather.

"His horsemen hard behind us ride;

Should they our steps discover,

Then who will cheer my bonny bride

When they have slain her lover?"

Outspoke the hardy Highland wight,

"I'll go, my chief—I'm ready;

It is not for your silver bright,

But for your winsome lady:

"And by my word! the bonny bird

In danger shall not tarry;

So though the waves are raging white,

I'll row you o'er the ferry."

By this the storm grew loud apace,

The water-wraith was shrieking;

And in the scowl of heaven each face

Grew dark as they were speaking.

But still as wilder blew the wind,

And as the night grew drearer,

Adown the glen rode armèd men,

Their trampling sounded nearer.

"O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,

"Though tempests round us gather;

I'll meet the raging of the skies,

But not an angry father."