The song of the harper is from Rokeby Canto V - Sir Walter Scott

pages 206 - 208 of The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author

(page)206 ROKEBY. [CANTO V. SONG. "Summer eve is gone and past, Summer dew is falling fast; I have wander'dcl all the day, Do not bid me farther stray! Gentle hearts, of gentle kin, Take the wandering harper in " But the stern porter answer gave, With " Get thee hence, thou strolling knave! The king wants soldiers; war, I trow, Were fmeeter trade for such as thou." At this unkind reproof; again Answer'd the ready Minstrel's strain. SONG RESUMED.' Bid not me, in battle-field, Buckler lift, or broadsword wield! All my strength and all my art Is to touch the gentle heart,l With the wizard notes that ring From the peaceful minstrel-string."The porter, all unmoved, replied,"Depart in peace, with Heaven to guide; If longer by the gate thou dwell, Trust me, thou shalt not part so well." I [MS. —" 0, bid not me bear sword and shield, Or struggle to the bloody field, For gentler art this hand was made."]


CANTO V.] ROKEBY. 207 ~III. With somewhat of appealing look, The harper's part young WVilfrid took: "These notes so wild and ready thrill. They show no vulgar minstrel's skill; Hard were his task to seek a home More distant, since the night is come; And for his faith I dare engageYour Harpool's blood is sour'd by age; His gate, once readily display'd, To greet the friend, the poor to aid, Now even to me, though known of old, Did but reluctantly unfold."" 0 blame not, as poor Harpool's crime, An evil of this evil time. He deems dependent on his care The safety of his patron's heir, Nor judges meet to ope the tower To guest unknown at parting hour,1 Urging his duty to excess Of rough and stubborn faithfulness. For this poor harper, I would fain He may relax:-Hark to his strain!" — IX. SONG RESUMED. "I have song of war for knight, Lay of love for lady bright, 1 [MS.-" To vagrants at our parting hour."]



208 ROKEBY. [CUANTO V. Fairy tale to lull the heir, Goblin grim the maids to scare. Dark the night, and long till day, Do not bid me farther stray! "Rokeby's lords of martial fame, I canll count them name by name; Legends of their line there be, Known to few, but known to me; If you honour Rokeby's kin, Take the wandering harper in! " Rokeby's lords had fair regard For the harp, and for the bard; Baron's race throve never well, Where the curse of minstrel fell. If you love that noble kin, Take the weary harper in!""