Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/277

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THE CAGED LADY OF BUCHAN.
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 O deed of rare renown!—With mail's resolve, but woman's grace,Thou daredst on regal brow to place Old Scotia's sacred crown.
"Thy recreant brother, Fife's proud heir,Had he possessed thy soul to dare Not England's king to fear,How great had he been in the deedWhich gave the Bruce his rightful meed! Then—hadst thou not been here!
"Not kindred—no, nor wedded love—Could thy high soul to treason move: Husband and brother heWho most could feel his country's woes,And best give back the foemen's blows, And set old Scotia free."
"Stranger! I would these bars might rot,And Buchan's countess be forgot, Might this remembered be!That in the princely halls of Scone,The Bruce, in mounting Scotland's throne, Proclaimed his country free!
"Whilst thus redressed my country's wrongs,Shall I forget proud Edward's pangs In weeping o'er mine own?For well I wot this deed of shameShall married be to Edward's name, Where'er that name is known.
"For me, then, weep not; weep for thoseWho, leagued with Scotland's ancient foes Dishonoured traitors prove,And leave it to a woman's handTo fill the story of their land With deeds of faith and love.
"Then hie thee, stranger! tell my foesThat Isabel, 'mid all her throes, Is high of heart, and leal;Mothers henceforth shall proudly tellHow caged and prisoned Isabel Did serve her country's weal!"

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