HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX.

I SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris and he;

I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three;

"Good speed!" cried the watch as the gate-bolts undrew, "Speed!" echoed the wall to us galloping through;

Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest,

And into the midnight we galloped abreast.

Not a word to each other: we kept the great pace

Neck and neck, stride by stride, never changing our place.

I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight,

Then shortened each stirrup and set the pique right,

Re-buckled the check-strap, chained slacker the bit;

Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit.

And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;

And the bride-maidens whispered, "Twere better by far,

To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar."

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear,

When they reached the hall-door, and the charger stood near;

So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,

So light to the saddle before her he sprung!

"She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur; They'll have fleet steeds that follow," quoth young Lochinvar.

There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Netherby clan; Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran: There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee,

But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see.

So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,

Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?

RHOTRUDA.

SCOTT.

IN the golden reign of Charlemagne the king,

The three and thirtieth year, or thereabout,

Young Eginardus, bred about the court,

(Left mother-naked at a posterndoor,)

Had thence by slow degrees ascended up;

First page, then pensioner, lastly the king's knight

And secretary; yet held these steps for naught

Save as they led him to the Princess' feet,

Eldest and loveliest of the regal three,

Most gracious too, and liable to love: For Bertha was betrothed; and she, the third,