Page:The Family Legend.pdf/23

LOCHTARISH.

Yes, we know it.

BENLORA.

Who dar'd, unpunish'd, a Maclean to injure?

Yea; he who dared but with a scornful lip
Our name insult, I thought it feeble vengeance
If steed or beast within his walls were left,
Or of his holds one tower unruined stood.

LOCHTARISH.

Ay; who dared then to brave us?

BENLORA.

Thus dealt Benlora e'en with common foes;

But in the warfare of our deadly feud,
When rang the earth beneath our bloody strife.
And brave Macleans brave Campbells boldly fronted,
(Fiends as they are, I still must call them brave,)
What sword more deeply drank the hated blood
Than this which now I grasp—but idly grasp!

LOCHTARISH.

There's ne'er a man of us that knows it not,

That swears not by thy valour.

BENLORA.

Until that fatal day, by ambush ta'en,