The Fair Maid of Perth

le f

mirth, who was

be so

A BAI

ith misfortune in the lives and reigns of John of England, John of France, and John Baliol of Scotland. It was therefore agreed that, to elude the bad omen, the new king should assume the name of Robert, rendered dear to S

erves to conceal their agitation. In other respects, he was experienced in the ways of courts, calm, cool, and crafty, fixing upon the points which he desired to attain, while they were yet far removed, and never losing sight of them, though the winding paths in which he trode might occasionally seem to point to a different direction. In his person he resembled the King, for he was noble and ma

yal apartments, and commanded a view of the internal quadrangle of the convent, formed on the right hand by the length of the magnificent church, on the left by a building containing the range of cellars, with the refectory, chapter house, and other conventual apartments rising above them, for such existed altogether independent of the space occupied by King Robert and his attendants; while a fourth row of buildings, showing a noble outward front to the rising sun, consisted of a large hospitium, for the reception of strangers and pilgrims, and many subordinate offices, warehouses, an

versation between th

to kiss his hand-"my dear, dear brother, wherefore this ceremonial? Are we n

ising; "but I must not omit, in the familiarity of

hich flower or shrub can never take root. All kindly feelings, all tender affections, are denied to

"but Heaven, who removed to some distance from your Majesty's sphere the me

from me. Alas! even the meanest of them has some beloved being whom he can clasp to his heart, and upon whom he can lavish the fondness of a father. But all that a king can give to a people is a smile, such as the sun bestows on the snowy peaks of the Grampian mountains,

st made use of. Your Grace is best judge whether they have been long enough persevered in, and whether those of discouragement and restraint may not prove a more effectual corr

cate the painful path which you would have me pursu

hich Heaven forefend!-of your Grace's family, this fatal crown might descend? Would it not be thought and said by the fiery March and the haughty Douglas, that Albany had sown dissension between his royal

f all things: and therefore we will still try indulgent measures, in hopes of correcting the follies of Rothsay. I behold sparks of hope in him, Robin, from time to time, that are well worth cherishing. He is young-very young-a prince, and in the heyday of his blood. W

fe he has not," re

"I have sent for him to attend council today, and we shall see how he acquits himself of his devoir. You yourself allo

liege," replied Albany, "when he

obin, in giving this poor hapless young man another trial. He has no mother no

is most agreeable to your Grace's feelings

f proceeding the reverse of what it best suited him to recommend. But though he saw he could not guide his brother to the line of conduct he desired, he would not abandon the rein

just escaped, called aloud to the prior of the Dominicans, "I hear the trampling of horse. Your station c

arch, with his follo

?" said the King. "Do his p

the King, "Fear nothing, the Branda

ollows him up the main staircase, bearing his lordship's sword. The others halt in the court, and-Benedicite, how is this? Here is a strolling glee woman, with her viol

strolling race; and in that they resemble a king, to whom all men cry, 'All hail!' while he lacks the homage and obedient affection which the poorest yeoman receives from his family. Let the wanderer rema

He had left in the anteroom the page of honour who carried his sword. The Earl was a well built, handsome man, fair complexioned, with a considerable profusion of light coloured hair, and bright blue eyes, which gleamed like

he King, with a gracious inclination of his pers

r, counsellors. And now I come but to say to your Highness, that the news from the English frontier make it necessary that I should return without delay to my own estates. Your Grace has your wise and politic brother, my Lord of Albany, with whom to consul

breaking into general commotion, and the tranquillity even of our own court requires the wisest of our council to advise, and the bravest of our barons

tter to restrain a disorderly swarm of Highland kerne than I can be to withstand the archery of England and power of Henry Hotspur? And then, here is his Grace of Albany, so jealous in his care of your Highness's person, that he calls your Brandanes to take arms when a dutiful subject like myself approaches the court with

n the iron gate of their castle; and, if it please Our Lady, I will not care less for the King's person than they do for their own. The Brandanes are the King's immediate retainers

ide with ten times as many horse as your Grace has named; but I have never done s

now the gay science, my Lord of March, and love it well. Step to yonder window, beside the holy prior, at whom we make no question touching secular pleasures, and you will tell us if the music and play be worth listening to. The notes are of France, I think. My brother of A

timid precaution which it implied, as an attempt to prevent the dispute betwixt Albany and himself. The tune, which was played upon a viol, was gay and sprightly in the commencement, with a touch of the wildness of

ouglas to be bride of the heir apparent, instead of his betrothed daughter. March had the vices and virtues of a hasty and uncertain character, and even now, when he came to bid the King adieu, with the purpose of renouncing his allegiance as soon as he reached his own feudal territories, he felt unwilling, and almost unable, to resolve upon a step so criminal and so full of peril. It was with such dangerous cogitations that he was occupied during the beginning of the glee maiden's la

of Poo

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brother and the Earl of March, King Robert called to the latter, "What think you of the minst

nse with my approbation, since she seems to have received

King in alarm; "

March, with a malicious smile on his cheek, "apparentl

father prior?"

ce. "I have no will to see, my lord, t

ing, perhaps, to look upon some unbecoming prank of the wild young prince, which he might not have had heart to punish with necess

and trooper in the courtyard, but she has riveted the attention of the Black Douglas, whom we have not known as a passionate admirer of the gay sc

, call the Prince here instantly. Go, my dearest brother-" And when they had both left the room, the King continued, "Go, good cousi

offended person, "the father of Elizabeth of Dunbar were but an

old man. "I own you have had some wrong; but

he corner of the seat from which he had risen, he became for a minute insensible. The sight of the accident at once overcame March's resentment and melted his heart

ound with uncertainty. "What has hap

bject, March," r

sturbed intellect receiving some alarm from the name of a power

many have wished your Majesty to think ill, though he will be

too much wrong; and believe me

ect of the pre-contract. Bethink you well, my liege," continued the Earl, kindling with a new train of ambitious thoughts, to which the unexpected opportunity of pleading his cause personally had given rise-"bethink you how you choose betwixt the Douglas and me. He is powerful and mighty, I grant. But George of Dunbar wears the keys of Scotland at hi

id horseman, borne away by an impetuous steed, whose course he can neither arrest nor direc

ousin, prevent blood, and all shall be as you will.

med men and brandished weapons, and resounding with the clash of armour. The deep vaulted entrance was crowded with warriors at its farthest extre

on quell this sudden broil. Humbly I pray your Majesty

g, scarce knowing to what he pledged himse