Page:The Family Legend.pdf/27

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Of this, my friend, I'll speak to thee more fully When time shall better serve. Maclean, thou know'st, Is of a soft, unsteady, yielding nature; And this, too well, the crafty Campbell knew, When to our isle he sent this wily witch To mould, and govern, and besot his wits, As suits liis crafty ends.—I know the youth: This dame or we must hold his will in thraldom: Which of the two,—But softly: steps approach. Of this again.

As early as thou wilt.

Then be it so: some staunch determined spirits This night in Irka's rocky cavern meet; There must thou join us. Wear thou here the while A brow less cloudy, suited to the times.

See, here comes one who wears a merry face ; Yet, ne'ertheless, a clan's-man staunch he is, Who hates a Campbell, worse than Ilcom's monks The horned fiend.