The Fair Maid of Perth

may have the

lady, she may

YD

uch envied attribute. But, in the feudal times to which we now call the reader's attention, female beauty was a quality of much higher importance than it has been since the ideas of chivalry have been in a great measure extinguished. The love of the ancient cavaliers was a licensed species of idolatry, which the love of Heaven alone was theoretically supposed to approach in intensity,

the highest rank, and most distinguished for deeds of chivalry, were more attentive to exhibit feats of horsemanship as they passed the door of old Simon Glover, in what was called Couvrefew, or Curfew, Street, than to distinguish themselves in the tournaments, where the noblest dames of Scotland were spectators of their address. But the glover's daughter-for, as was common with the citizens and artisans of that early period, her father, Simon, derived his surname from the trade which he practised-showed no inclination to listen to any gallantry which came from those of a station highly exalted above that which she herself occupied, and, though probably in no degree insensible to her personal charms, seemed

he gallant courtiers, the reigning beauty of Per

honest burgher of Perth, and could use his needle as well as I can. Did there come war to the gates of our fair burgh, down went needles, thread, and shamoy leather, and out came the good head piece and target from the dark nook, and the long lance from above the chimney. Show me a day that either he or I was absent when the provost made his musters! Thus we have led our lives, my girl, working to win our

to Couvrefew Street in which they lived. On their passage, Simon Glover, an ancient and esteemed burgess of Perth, somewhat stricken in years and increased in substance, received from young and old the homage due to his velvet

headdress. He had no other weapon than a staff in his hand, it not being thought fit that persons of his degree (for he was an apprentice to the old glover) should appear on the street armed with sword or dagger, a privilege which the jackmen, or military retainers of the nobility, esteemed exclusively their own. He

al displaying itself; for a common feeling of respect i

when from chance, or perhaps from an assumption of superior importance, such an individual took the wall of Simon in passing, the glover's youthful attendant bristled up with a look of defiance, and the air of one who sought to dist

a dirk will cut the skin as fast as a needle pierces leather; that I love peace, though I never feared war, and

for his master's honour, yet was s

honesty, and leave honour to the swaggering fools who wear steel at their heels and iron on their shoulders.

ising of her little finger was indeed a sign, had more effect than the angry reproof of his master; and the youth

n they did not wish to be known, or were abroad in quest of adventures. He seemed, in short, one who might say to the world around him: "I desire, for the present, not to be known

ho had hold of her father's arm, and slac

n to you,

o pass on? Our pace is too slow for that of your lordsh

siness to talk of with you and with my fair St. Catharine h

s good St. Valentine's Eve, which is no time for business, and that I can have yo

me time since; and from you, pretty Catharine (here he sank his voice to a whisper), I desire to be informed whether your fair fingers have been employed upon it, agreeably to your promise? But I need n

ou to speak thus, or me to listen. We are of poor rank but honest manners; and the presenc

ither her father nor Conachar

, providing you will let me see you from your window tomorrow, when the sun first

the humble linnet. Seek some court lady, to whom your favours will be honour; to me-y

he party arrived at t

ll alter your pleasure for the pain and uneasiness you may give to such as us but, from the throng of attendants at the

his daughter, too much honoured by my slightest notice, have the insolence to tell me that my notic

ated opponent recovered himself with difficulty, and grasped towards his own side, as if seeking a sword or dagger in the place where it was usually worn; but finding none, he made a gesture of disappointed rage, and entered the church. During the few seconds he remained, the young nobleman stood with his arms folded on his breast, with a haughty smile, as if defying him to do his worst. Whe

ven. The ceremony of High Mass was performed with considerable solemnity, a number of noblemen and ladies of rank being present. Preparations had indeed been made for the reception of the good old King himself, but some of those infirmities to which he was subject had prevented Robert III from attending the service as was his wont. When the congregation were dismi

lkers or revellers, the idle and swaggering retainers of the haughty nobles, who were much wont to insult t

character of this kind that Conachar, stepping up to

thou? By whom

his cloak, who follow

along the Couvrefew Street for th

arms," sai

egs, and feet. Why, sure, Conacha

ignant at the insinuation; "you

e course; there is no occasion to make a brawl, though we do not run. Walk thou before with

it, and when they advanced or slackened their pace, the stranger's was in proportion accelerated or diminished. The matter would have been of very little consequence had Simon Glover been alone;

possible, whether there had been any cause for it, he called out to the man whose motions had occasioned the alarm, and who stood still, though he seemed to keep out of reach of the light. "Come, step forward

s that ever answered question. "I can show my shapes well eno

door with dry lips. What, man, curfew has not rung yet, and if it had, it were no reason why it should part father and son. Come in, man; Doro

h a silver cup or two, which, in the highest degree of cleanliness, occupied a range of shelves like those of a beauffet, popularly called "the bink." A good fire, with the assistance of a blazing lamp, sprea

rather below the middle stature, but the breadth of his shoulders, length and brawniness of his arms, and the muscular appearance of the whole man, argued a most unusual share of strength, and a frame kept in vigour by constan

) was attached to the same cincture. The head was well proportioned, round, close cropped, and curled thickly with black hair. There was daring and resolution

ace was less happily formed. The mouth was large, and well furnished with a set of firm and beautiful teeth, the appearance of which corresponded with the air of personal health and muscular

her hand, which Henry held in his massive grasp, as if he designed to carry it to his lips, but, after a moment's hesitation, desisted, from fear lest the freedom might be ill taken. Not that ther

ffer I would not make to every one who crosses my threshold. But, by good St. Valentine, whose holyday will dawn tomorrow

o salute the Fair Maid, who yielded the courtesy with a smile of affection that might have become a si

d his grasp; and drawing back as if afraid of what he had done, his dark countenance glowing with bashful

ith the food, old woman; and

th a headache," said Cathar

to lay a trencher or spread a napkin, and he expects to enter our ancient and honourable craft without duly waiting and t

char appeared in the eating apartment. There was a gloom of deep sullenness on his haughty, though handsome, features, and as he proceeded to spread the board, and arrange the trenchers, with salt, spices, and

ather's displeasure; but it was not till her eyes had sought out his for a second time that Conachar condescended to veil h

interest on the part of the former in the conduct of the latter, it would have puzzled the strictest observer to discover whether that feeling exce

affectionate style of speech, though no ways akin to the young artisan; "ay, and

when I crossed the Wicks of Baiglie, and saw the bonny city lie stretched fairly before me like a fairy queen in romance, whom the kn

lover. "What, shall we have our ballets and our roundels again? our lusty c

he bellows and the clatter of the anvil make but coarse company to lays of minstrelsy;

wered the glover; "and I trust tho

Warden of the East Marches, Sir Magnus Redman. He scarce scrupled a penny after I gave him leave to try a sword dint

ntain disciple; "wilt thou never learn to mind thy own business, without listening to what is passing

down, and endeavoured to recover his composure, which had been deranged by t

ease God to send it, my merchandise will be worth its price. St. Dunstan make us thankful, for he was of our craft. In short, this fellow (laying his hand on h

m," said the glover, "has he been idle all this while? Come, jolly smith,

people to use them. No-no, seldom have I a naked sword in my fist, save when I am turning them on the anvil or grindstone; and they slandered me to your daughter Catharine, that led

like a knave to one who knows thee so well! You look at Kate, too, as if she did not know that a man in this country must make his hand keep

id not sometimes cleave a helmet, or strike a point through a harness, I should not know what strength of fabric to give t

hast had a quarrel with some Edinburgh

ld cant term for black

on like death, At

ds with such a one upon St. Leonard's Crags, for the honour of my bonny city,

But how did your broth

or rather, indeed, he came not off at all, for, when I left him, he was lying in the Hermit

asuring of weapons

tion of the supremacy, as they call it-I am sure you would not have me

next had you to deal with?" said Simon, lau

oubt which was the better swordsman, which, you are aware, could not b

, who never touches a sword but in the way of h

of a Highlandman is a th

rub him, O man of peac

d the smith, "except his presenting himse

ese exploits. Conachar, bestir thee. Let the cans clink, lad, a

r and for Catharine with due observance. But that

manners? Fill to my guest, the

quor," answered the youthful Celt. "The son of my fathe

thou art so far right, my lad, that the man deserves t

. "Now, by my honest word, and by the best glove I ever made," said Simon, "thou shalt h

is face, person, and dress. Good natured as the smith, in spite of his warlike propensities, really was in the utmost degree, his patience failed under such a provocation. He seized the young man's throat, being the part which came readiest to his grasp

to plunge it into his body over the collarbone, which must have been a mortal wound. But the object of this violence was so ready to defend himself by striking up the assailant's hand, that the blow only g

moment before glowing red, and stood mute with shame and fear, until, relieving him from his powerful hold, the smith quietly said: "It is well

had collected himself enough to speak. Dorothy was running hither and thither for

luck, and spread strife and bloodshed where I would wish most to bring peace and happiness. Care not f

; but he shall go back to his glens tomorrow, or taste the tolbooth of the burgh. An assault upon the

ted the armourer-"

And she is not more the daughter of my blood than thou, my dear Henry, art the son of m

e armourer; "and now that the colour is coming to Catharin

r form which they displayed was not more remarkable than the fairness of his skin, where it had not, as in hands and face, been exposed to the effects of rough weather and of his laborious trade. He hastily applied some lint to s

r of my return? The lad was foolish to provoke me, and yet I was more foolish to be pr

house made the scene of night brawls, I must witness them-I cannot help myself. Perhaps it was wrong in me to faint

end, did I say? Nay, my son. He escapes being murdered by a fellow whom I will tomorrow clear this house

ves in a perfect atmosphere of strife, blood, and quarrels. He hears of no swordsman but he envies his reputation, and must needs put his valour to the proof. He sees no brawl but he must strike into the midst of it. Has he friends, he fights with them for love and hon

. Quarrels and fights are men's business, not women'

t of the way rather than step upon a worm; that he would be as loth, in wantonness, to kill a spider as if he were a kinsman to King Robert, of happy memory; that in the last quarrel before his departure he fought with four butchers, to prevent their killing a poor mastiff that had misbehaved in the bull r

brave knights in the tilt and tourney ground, to look upon deeds of honour and glory achieved by arms and bloodshed? What is it these proud knights do, that differs from what our good Henry Gow works out in his sphere? Who ever heard of his abusing his skill and strength to do evil or forward oppression, and who knows not how often it has been employed as that of a champion in the good cause of the burgh? And shouldst not thou, of all wom

ry. Your wisdom will allow that it would be absurd in us to prank ourselves in their dainty plumes and splendid garments; why, then, should we imitate their full blown vices? Why should we assume their hard hearted pride and relentless cruelty, to which murder is not only a sport, but a subject of vainglorious triumph? Let those whose rank claims as its right

hand glove from the right. But if thou wouldst have my forgiveness, say something of comfort to my poor Henry. There he sits, confounded and dismayed with all

s character in such unfavourable colours, had laid his head down on the table,

g the sacred cause of the truths I have just told you. And I may-nay, I must have such a commission," she continued with somethin

ight to that tongue to announce mercy, while it declared judgment. Arise, Henry-rise up, noble minded, good, and gen

by a force which, however gentle, he could not resist, she compelled him to raise towards her his man

the sins of pride and anger, which most easily beset thee; fling from thee the ac

sing them. You would not reproach me as you do, if you knew how inseparably the means by which I gain my bread are connected with that warlike spirit which you impute to me as a fault, though it is the consequence of inevitable necessity. While I strengthe

art which is a snare to you. Abjure the fabrication of weapons which can only be useful to abridge human life, already too short for repentance, or to encourage with a feeling of safety those whom fear might otherwise prevent from risking themselves in peril. The art of forming arms, whether offensive or de

lihood, when I have given over the art of forging arms for

the harmless spade, and the honourable as well as useful ploughshare-of those implements which contribute to the support of life, or to its comforts. Thou canst frame

ierce and intractable when assailed by hostile remonstrances or threats. But her arguments interfered with his views, when he heard her enlarge upon the necessity of his designed son in law resigning a trade which brought in more ready income than any at that time practised in Scotland, and more profit to Henry of Perth in particular than to any armourer in the nation. He had some indistinct idea that it would not be amiss to convert, if possible, Henry the Smith from his too frequent use of arms, even though he felt some pride in being connected with one who wielded with such superior excellence those weapons, which in that w

rotect ourselves every moment now, thou silly wench, and not ploughs to dress the ground for the grain we may never see rise. As for the matter of our daily bread, those who are strong seize it, and live; those who are weak yield it, and die of hunger. Happy is the man who, like my worthy son, has means of obtaining his living otherwise than by the point of the sword which he makes. Preach peace to him as much as thou wilt, I will never be he will say thee nay; but

, made a low obeisance, and, without further goodnight, wit