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My friends, why on each other look ye thus In gloomy silence? freely speak your thoughts. Mine have I freely spoken: that advising Which for the good—nay, I must say existence, Of this our ancient clan most needful is. When did Lochtarish ever for himself A separate 'vantage seek, in which the clan At large partook not? Am I doubted now?

No, nothing do we doubt thy public zeal.

Then is my long experience o' the sudden To childish folly turn'd? Think'st thou, good Thona, We should beneath this artful mistress live, Hush'd in deceitful peace, till John of Lorne, For whom the office of a treacherous spy She doth right slily manage, with his powers Shall come upon us? Once ye would have spurn'd At thoughts so base; but now, when forth I stand To do what vengeance, safety, nay, existence