XXXI..
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e gave him of his Highland cheer,The hardened flesh of mountain deer;Dry fuel on the fire he laid,And bade the Saxon share his plaid.He tended him like welcome guest,Then thus his further speech addressed:--'Stranger, I am to Roderick DhuA clansman born, a kinsman true;Each word against his honour spokeDemands of me avenging stroke;Yet more,--upon thy fate, 'tis said,A mighty augury is laid.It rests with me to wind my horn,--Thou art with numbers overborne;It rests with me, here, brand to brand,Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand:But, not for clan, nor kindred's cause,Will I depart from honour's laws;To assail a wearied man were shame,And stranger is a holy name;Guidance and rest, and food and fire,In vain he never must require.Then rest thee here till dawn of day;Myself will guide thee on the way,O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward,Till past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard,As far as Coilantogle's ford;From thence thy warrant is thy sword.''I take thy courtesy, by heaven,As freely as 'tis nobly given!'Well, rest thee; for the bittern's crySings us the lake's wild lullaby.'With that he shook the gathered heath,And spread his plaid upon the wreath;And the brave foemen, side by side,Lay peaceful down like brothers tried,And slept until the dawning beamPurpled the mountain and the stream.
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