Page:The Family Legend.pdf/74

A witch of deep seduction.—Cast her forth.
The strange, unnatural union of two bloods,
Adverse and hostile, most abhorred is.
The heart of every warrior of your name
Rises against it. Yea, the grave calls out,
And says it may not be.—Nay, shrink not, chief,
When I again repeat it,—cast her off.

MACLEAN.

Art thou a man? and bidst me cast her off,

Bound as I am by sacred holy ties?

LOCHTARISH.

Bound as thou art by that which thou regardest

As sacred holy ties; what tie so sacred
As those that to his name and kindred vassals
The noble chieftain bind? If ties there be
To these opposed, although a saint from heaven
Had bless'd them o'er the cross'd and holy things,
They are annull'd and broken.

BENLORA.

Ay, Lochtarish;

Sound doctrine hast thou uttered. Such the creed
Of ancient warriors was, and such the creed
That we their sons will with our swords maintain.

(Drawing his sword fiercely, whilst the rest follow his example.)