Behind him soon they set in night;
And soon he spurr'd his coarser keen
Beneath the tower of hazeldean.
"The clattering hoofs the watchmen mark:—
'Stand, ho! thou courier of the dark.'—
'For Branksome, ho!' the knight rejoin'd,
And left the friendly tower behind.
He turn'd him now from Teviotside,
And guided by the tinkling rill,
Northward the dark ascent did ride,