Page:The Lay of the Last Minstrel - Scott (1805).djvu/34

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25

XXV.
Soon in his saddle sate he fast,
And soon the steep descent he past;
Soon crossed the sounding barbican[1],
And soon the Teviot side he won.
Eastward the wooded path he rode;
Green hazels o'er his basnet nod:
He passed the Peel[2] of Goldiland,
And crossed old Borthwick's roaring strand;
Dimly he viewed the Moat-hill's mound,
Where Druid shades still flitted round:
In Hawick twinkled many a light;
Behind him soon they set in night;
And soon he spurred his courser keen
Beneath the tower of Hazeldean.

XXVI.
The clattering hoofs the watchmen mark;
"Stand ho! thou courier of the dark."

  1. Barbican, the defences of the outer gate of a feudal castle.
  2. Peel, a Border tower.