The Lady of the Lake: Canto 3

The Lady of the Lake: Canto 3

Original Text
Sir Walter Scott, The Lady of the Lake (Edinburgh: J. Ballantyne, 1810). LE S431ka Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto).
CORONACH
371      He is lost to the forest,
372Like a summer-dried fountain,
373      When our need was the sorest.
375      From the rain-drops shall borrow,
376But to us comes no cheering,
377      To Duncan no morrow!
378The hand of the reaper
379      Takes the ears that are hoary,
380But the voice of the weeper
381      Wails manhood in glory.
382The autumn winds rushing
383      Waft the leaves that are searest,
384But our flower was in flushing,
385      When blighting was nearest.
388Red hand in the foray,
389      How sound is thy slumber!
390Like the dew on the mountain,
391      Like the foam on the river,
392Like the bubble on the fountain,
393      Thou art gone, and for ever!

Notes

370] From The Lady of the Lake, Canto III, lines 370-393. Scott writes: "The Coronoch of the Highlanders ... was a wild expression of lamentation, poured forth by the mourners over the body of a departed friend." In this instance, the mourners are the women of the village. Back to Line
374] font: fountain. Back to Line
386] correi: "the hollow side of the hill, where game usually lies" (Scott). Back to Line
387] cumber: trouble. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1810
RPO poem Editors
P. F. Morgan
RPO Edition
3RP 2.418.
Rhyme