12.

And they who heard the war notes wild, Hoped that, one day, the Pibroch's strain Should play before the Hero's child,

While he should lead the Tartan train.

13.

Another year is quickly past,

And Angus hails another son,

His natal day is like the last,

Nor soon the jocund feast was done.

Taught by their sire to bend the bow,
On Alva's dusky hills of wind,

The boys in childhood chased the roe;
And left their hounds in speed behind.

15.

But, ere their years of youth are o'er,
They mingle in the ranks of war;
They lightly wield the bright claymore,
And send the whistling arrow far.

16.

Dark was the flow of Oscar's hair,
Wildly it streamed along the gale ;
But Allan's locks were bright and fair,
And pensive seem'd his cheek, and pale.

17.

But Oscar own'd a hero's soul,

His dark eye shone through beams of truth; Allan had early learn'd controul,

And smooth his words had been from youth.

18.

Both, both were brave; the Saxon spear
Was shiver'd oft beneath their steel;
And Oscar's bosom scorn'd to fear,

But Oscar's bosom knew to feel.

19.

While Allan's soul belied his form,
Unworthy with such charms to dwell;

Keen as the lightning of the storm,

On foes his deadly vengeance fell.

20.

From high Southannon's distant tower
Arrived a young and noble dame;
With Kenneth's lands to form her dower,
Glenalvon's blue-eyed daughter came:

21.

And Oscar claim'd the beauteous bride,
And Angus on his Oscar smiled;
It soothed the father's feudal pride,
Thus to obtain Glenalvon's child.

22.

Hark! to the Pibroch's pleasing note,
Hark! to the swelling nuptial song ;
In joyous strains the voices float,
And still the choral peal prolong.

23.

See how the heroes' blood-red plumes,
Assembled wave in Alva's hall;

Each youth his varied plaid assumes,
Attending on their chieftain's call.

24.

It is not war their aid demands,
The Pibroch plays the song of peace;
To Oscar's nuptials throng the bands,
Nor yet the sounds of pleasure cease.

25.

But where is Oscar? sure 'tis late:
Is this a bridegroom's ardent flame?
While thronging guests and ladies wait,
Nor Oscar nor his brother came.

26.

At length young Allan join'd the bride, "Why comes not Oscar?" Angus said ; "Is he not here?" the Youth replied, "With me he roved not o'er the glade,

(27.

"Perchance, forgetful of the day, "'Tis his to chase the bounding roe; "Or Ocean's waves prolong his stay, "Yet Oscar's bark is seldom slow."

28.

"Oh! no!" the anguish'd Sire rejoin'd, “Nor chase, nor wave my Boy delay; "Would he to Mora seem unkind?

"Would aught to her impede his way?

29%

"Oh! search, ye Chiefs! oh! search around! "Allan, with these, through Alva fly,

"Till Oscar, till my son is found;
"Haste, haste, nor dare attempt reply."

30.

All is confusion, through the vale,
The name of Oscar hoarsely rings,

It rises on the murmuring gale,

Till night expands her dusky wings.

311

It breaks the stillness of the night,

But echoes through her shades in vain ; It sounds through morning's misty light, But Oscar comes not o'er the plain.